Port Revival

July 31, 2011 (LBO) - An American salvage company has begun clearing wrecks from a port in Sri Lanka's former northern war zone ahead of dredging and repair work that will enable resumption of commercial activity.



Resolve Salvage and Fire (Asia), a Singapore subsidiary of US-based Resolve Marine Group, said it was awarded the contract for the Kankesanturai harbour wreck removal work by Shipping Corporation of India.

Wreck removal is to be completed by mid-November 2011.

The SCI is handling the project on behalf of the Indian government which is providing grants and soft loans to repair the port so it can be used for local and regional trade, the High Commission of India said.

Resolve Marine said it has to clear six vessel wrecks sunk in Kankesanthurai (KKS) between 1994 and 1996 during the island's 30-year ethnic conflict that ended in May 2009.

Two wrecks are outside the harbour and four within. "Situated on the northern coast of Sri Lanka, the harbour was badly damaged in the conflict and has since been closed for commercial activity," a statement said.

"The six wrecks range in size from 17 metres to 99.

5 metres and are either fully or partially submerged, obstructing safe access to, and tra