Breakdown of all three RDA boats disrupts transport to Delft Island
COLOMBO – Transport services to Neduntheevu (Delft Island) have been severely disrupted after all three boats operated by the Road Development Authority (RDA) on the Kurikadduwan–Neduntheevu route became inoperative, leaving residents, government officials and tourists struggling to reach the island.
The latest breakdown occurred on Tuesday (27), when the Kumudini, the last remaining operational RDA vessel, suffered engine failure shortly after leaving Kurikadduwan at around 4.30 p.m. with approximately 60 passengers, including women, children and elderly people.
The other two RDA-operated vessels, Neduntharaki and Vadatharaki, had already broken down, leaving the Kumudini as the only boat in service on the route.
Following the engine failure, the Kumudini began drifting at sea, prompting Navy personnel to intervene, rescue the passengers and bring them back to the Kurikadduwan area.
After learning of the incident and the resulting disruption, the privately operated boat Karikalan travelled from Neduntheevu to Kurikadduwan, collected the stranded passengers and transported them to the island. The disabled Kumudini was also taken to Neduntheevu.
The disruption continued on Wednesday (28), with private operators stepping in to accommodate passengers. While Sathsara departing Neduntheevu at around 7.00 a.m., heavy congestion was also reported at Kurikadduwan, as another private boat prepared to leave for the island at approximately 8.30 a.m.
The journey between Kurikadduwan and Neduntheevu takes approximately one hour, making dependable ferry services essential for the island’s residents, many of whom rely on the route for daily travel and access to essential services.
The simultaneous breakdown of all three RDA vessels has raised concerns about the reliability of transport to Delft Island, with the disruption also affecting tourism.
-ENCL
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