A heartbreaking incident was reported this morning (23). A ferry carrying a group of people was involved in an accident near the Kurinjankerni Bridge in the Kinniya area in Trincomalee around 07.30 this morning.
Five villagers, including school children, were killed and seven others are missing after the boat capsized. More than 10 people were injured.
A naval operation has been launched to search for the victims. Accordingly, 08 relief teams comprising of the Navy Rapid Action Vessel Squadron, Marine Squadron, Special Vessel Squadron and Diving Division are currently conducting operations at the scene of the accident.
The ferry was used to transport people due to repairs on the Kinniya Kurinjankerni Bridge. According to information received from the area, a group of persons including school children were traveling on the ferry when the accident took place this morning.
The villagers allege that the bridge had to be repaired over a long period of time, forcing the villagers to use a ferry. Therefore, they blame the politicians for this.
They allege that this tragic incident took place due to the fact that the construction of bridges and roads in the South was carried out in a hasty manner in the North and East.
When Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa was asked about the accident in Parliament today, Minister of State for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lansa said he did not approve of blaming the government for the accident.
According to him, permission has been granted by the Kinniya Municipal Council to use a ferry to carry passengers across the Kinniya Kuranjankarni Lagoon.
The Government expresses its deep regret over the loss of life due to this unfortunate incident and a formal investigation is being carried out. The Minister has also stated that the Road Development Authority has nothing to do with the use of the ferry.
For a long time it was not possible to build a bridge across the lagoon and the ‘good governance’ government had not taken any action during that period. Our government has commenced the construction of this bridge as a solution to the plight of the people and steps will be taken to expedite its construction. This unfortunate incident took place with the approval of the relevant Municipal Council to use this ferry unsafely. Minister of State Nimal Lansa has further stated that the Road Development Authority will in the future provide a passenger transport system across the lagoon in accordance with the correct standards.
