Navy launches transport service at Kurinchankerny bridge

Sri Lanka Navy has taken steps to provide safe passenger transport service at the Kurinchankerny bridge commencing from yesterday onwards following a tragic accident early this week that took six lives, Navy said.

The residents in the area will be able to use this mode of transportation until the construction of the Kurinchankerny Bridge in Kinniya, Trincomalee is completed.

Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne this initiative was set in motion taking into account the difficulties faced by the residents and school children, crossing the lagoon on a daily basis, due to the construction of the Kurinchankerny Bridge.

The move came after the tragic accident on Tuesday at the bridge where six persons including four school children died when a temporary ferry that was on service to cross the river capsized.  

Navy also deployed a Lagoon Craft capable of carrying 25 passengers safely at a time, effective from 25th November, under the supervision of the Eastern Naval Command. The Lagoon Craft will be in service from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m. each day. Further, the Navy erected a temporary jetty to allow passengers to board the vessel safely.