Kinniya tragedy: Karainagar-Kayts ferry service provided with lifejackets

Following the ferry accident in Kinniya in the Eastern Province which killed seven persons including five children, the Road Development Authority (RDA) in Jaffna has provided life jackets to passengers travelling between Karainagar-Kayts Islands on ferries.  The RDA has been providing the islands with a free ferry service for decades without safety gear to passengers who are mostly students, a spokesman said.   The ferry service covers about a half a kilometre of sea and is a vital route for people living in Karainagar and Kayts. It is noted that without the ferry service; the islanders have to travel to 40 km to Jaffna.   Despite reports that nearly Rs 1,700 million has been allocated for a permanent bridge connecting the two islands, construction has not yet begun.   It was noteworthy that the RDA has taken this measure and locals said they trust the Government would provide safety gear for an island wide ferry services.