Passenger vessel ‘Vadatharaki’ resumes shuttle-run after repairs by Navy

The passenger vessel ‘Vadatharaki’ resumed its shuttle service between Punguduthivu and Delft Islands recently after major repairs carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN),

The SLN said passage between the two islands was suspended following the breakdown of the vessel deployed by the Road Development Authority (RDA).

In a response to RDA’s request, the SLN undertook to repair the vessel in March 2021. It was towed all the way from Kankesanthurai harbour to the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee for repairs, the SLN said.

The SLN completed repairs during a short span with naval technical staffers working throughout amidst the pandemic situation to inject the vessel back to service.

The resumption of passenger services for the islanders was praised by regional government officials and the public in Jaffna and Delft Island, the SLN said.

The vessel was deployed to transport passengers and cargo between Kurikadduwan Jetty on Punguduthivu and Delft Island in Jaffna.

A naval crew operated the passenger vessel deployed by the RDA as a service on behalf of the locals, the SLN added.