Nainativu, Neduntheevu boat service dispute resolved with new safety, fare regulations
COLOMBO – A long-standing dispute between boat owners operating between Nainativu and Neduntheevu has been resolved following a discussion chaired by MP Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy, with several measures agreed to improve passenger safety, ensure fair fares and regulate boat services.
The decisions include requiring boats carrying tourists to charge only the approved fares and ensuring that boat owners in Nainativu act collectively when giving priority to boats operating from Neduntheevu.
It was also agreed to appoint a timekeeper in the Kurikattuwan area, with the support of the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha, to regulate the movement and operation of boats.
Authorities and boat owners further agreed that details of boats operating the service and their approved fares should be clearly displayed for public information.
Contact numbers for boat hire services and for lodging complaints will also be displayed publicly to enable passengers to obtain information and report any issues.
Several other measures were agreed to further strengthen the regulation and administration of the boat service, while supporting the development of tourism in the area.
The discussion was attended by the Velanai Divisional Secretary, Chairman of the Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha, Neduntheevu Divisional Secretary, Chairman of the Neduntheevu Pradeshiya Sabha, Chairman of the Northern Province Tourism Bureau, representatives of boat owners’ associations and individual boat owners.
Commenting on the outcome, MP Jeyachandramoorthy said the objective was not to politicize the dispute but to bring all stakeholders together to reach a fair and practical solution, adding, “People’s travel must be safe and based on fair fares. At the same time, the livelihoods of local boat owners must also be protected”.
He said the ultimate goal was to establish a properly regulated system that would build trust between passengers and service providers while supporting local livelihoods and tourism.
–ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.