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| Thursday, 14 October 2004 |
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During the past weeks there has been extensive public discussion regarding the perceived implications arising for Sri Lanka from the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project to be implemented by the Government of India. The Foreign Ministry in a press release said yesterday the project envisages the creation of a shipping canal through dredging and excavation in the Adam's Bridge and parts of Palk Bay in the seas North of Sri Lanka. The proposal is expected to facilitate the transit of ships calling at ports on the East coast of India without circumnavigating Sri Lanka, reducing the journey by around 400 nautical miles. Overall the views expressed in the public domain in this regard have arisen because of the possible broad repercussions of project on Sri Lanka in environmental and economic terms, as well as concerns arising from the proximity of the project to the territorial seas and the landmass of Sri Lanka. The Government had taken these concerns on board, and has been engaged in a process of internal consultation and study on the matter, with a view to firstly assessing the impact of the Sethusamudram Project on Sri Lanka and subsequently formulating an appropriate course of future action. The Cabinet of Ministers is already seized of the issues arising from the project, pursuant to a Cabinet paper submitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As decided by the Cabinet, an inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee at the level of Secretaries chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already met to make a preliminary assessment of the impact of the project on Sri Lanka. Specific areas have been focused on for detailed study with assistance from experts and scientists in the relevant fields, such as marine resources, fisheries, environment and ports. The initial findings relating to these sectors will be submitted to the committee later this month. In view of the importance of the issue as well as the need for specialised input at a technical level, the inter-Ministerial Committee will co-opt additional expertise to assist its work. After detailed assessment a course of action will be formulated with a view to dealing with the possible impact of the project on Sri Lanka. The Cabinet of Ministers will be kept informed of the progress of the committee. The government is also simultaneously engaged in a process of consultation with India regarding the project. |
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