Jaffna puts civil war behind, flight services resume after 40 years
An Alliance Air Flight From Chennai Touches Down To Mark The Inauguration
Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com
Jaffna:
After redeveloping Jaffna international airport, Sri Lanka is looking at further collaboration with India, especially the south, to develop its northern province.
Sri Lanka President M Sirisena inaugurated the airport, which was redeveloped at₹1,950 million (Sri Lankan rupee) of which India funded ₹300 million (Sri Lankan rupee). An Alliance Air flight from Chennai touched down to mark the commencing of commercial operations at the airport after a gap of 40years following the LTTEled civil war in the island nation.
At the inauguration, Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that India-Sri Lanka collaboration has potential for economic development of the Jaffna region. “India has shown willingness to develop Jaffna and funds were given. India has invested Sri Lankan ₹300 million to develop Jaffna airport. Fastest growing region in Indian Ocean will be South Asia. We should settle all issues by internal discussions and should not go to war that will lead to disappearance of South Asian miracle.” Northern province governor Suren Raghavan said the development of Jaffna airport was a step to improve an area that was in tatters once.
Hinting about the significance of Alliance Air flight landing at the airport on its day of inauguration, he said, “This is not a mere opening of an airport but to rebuild relations with international destinations. Now, it is easy to go to Chennai than to go to Colombo and then fly to Chennai.”
However, he pointed out the need to hand over land to around 2,000 families staying near Jaffna airport. “They are still like refugees and are yet to get their land back.”
High commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka have now truly touched the sky. “The inaugural flight was yet another example of India’s commitment to continue with people-oriented development projects in Sri Lanka. It was also a reflection of the shared commitment to further strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka which lies at the heart of the bilateral relationship.”
It may be recalled that Indian government had earlier extended grant assistance for the rehabilitation of runway and basic infrastructure at the Palaly airfield under the MoU concluded in November 2005 with the Sri Lankan government.
He said the people-oriented projects that were on in Sri Lanka include restoration of railway line, emergency ambulances, help to fishing community in Hambantota, IT centre at Jaffna, university auditorium, upgrading KKS harbour which will become port, and others covering housing, education, sports, water, livelihood.
Minister of civil aviation Arjuna Ranatunga, responding to a question on Chinese investment, said, “Our government does not have money. China has funds. Our projects are open to competition. We are planning to buy 2,000 buses. It is open to all. India, Malaysia, China or anybody can participate. So far there is no Chinese investment in developing airport infrastructure in Sri Lanka. But we do get a lot of flights bringing in Chinese tourists.”
(This correspondent was in Jaffna at the invitation of Alliance Air)
GRAND WELCOME: The Alliance Air flight gets a water salute at Jaffna International Airport on Thursday
An Alliance Air Flight From Chennai Touches Down To Mark The Inauguration
Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com
Jaffna:
After redeveloping Jaffna international airport, Sri Lanka is looking at further collaboration with India, especially the south, to develop its northern province.
Sri Lanka President M Sirisena inaugurated the airport, which was redeveloped at₹1,950 million (Sri Lankan rupee) of which India funded ₹300 million (Sri Lankan rupee). An Alliance Air flight from Chennai touched down to mark the commencing of commercial operations at the airport after a gap of 40years following the LTTEled civil war in the island nation.
At the inauguration, Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that India-Sri Lanka collaboration has potential for economic development of the Jaffna region. “India has shown willingness to develop Jaffna and funds were given. India has invested Sri Lankan ₹300 million to develop Jaffna airport. Fastest growing region in Indian Ocean will be South Asia. We should settle all issues by internal discussions and should not go to war that will lead to disappearance of South Asian miracle.” Northern province governor Suren Raghavan said the development of Jaffna airport was a step to improve an area that was in tatters once.
Hinting about the significance of Alliance Air flight landing at the airport on its day of inauguration, he said, “This is not a mere opening of an airport but to rebuild relations with international destinations. Now, it is easy to go to Chennai than to go to Colombo and then fly to Chennai.”
However, he pointed out the need to hand over land to around 2,000 families staying near Jaffna airport. “They are still like refugees and are yet to get their land back.”
High commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka have now truly touched the sky. “The inaugural flight was yet another example of India’s commitment to continue with people-oriented development projects in Sri Lanka. It was also a reflection of the shared commitment to further strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka which lies at the heart of the bilateral relationship.”
It may be recalled that Indian government had earlier extended grant assistance for the rehabilitation of runway and basic infrastructure at the Palaly airfield under the MoU concluded in November 2005 with the Sri Lankan government.
He said the people-oriented projects that were on in Sri Lanka include restoration of railway line, emergency ambulances, help to fishing community in Hambantota, IT centre at Jaffna, university auditorium, upgrading KKS harbour which will become port, and others covering housing, education, sports, water, livelihood.
Minister of civil aviation Arjuna Ranatunga, responding to a question on Chinese investment, said, “Our government does not have money. China has funds. Our projects are open to competition. We are planning to buy 2,000 buses. It is open to all. India, Malaysia, China or anybody can participate. So far there is no Chinese investment in developing airport infrastructure in Sri Lanka. But we do get a lot of flights bringing in Chinese tourists.”
(This correspondent was in Jaffna at the invitation of Alliance Air)
GRAND WELCOME: The Alliance Air flight gets a water salute at Jaffna International Airport on Thursday
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