Delft Island in Focus: Building a Resilient Future for Jaffna’s Hidden Gem

Earlier this month, the A-PAD team journeyed to Delft Island (Neduntheevu) in Jaffna, a place of quiet beauty, historical intrigue, and untapped potential. Over three days, we met with communities, explored the terrain, and took a closer look at the pressing issues residents face every day.

Life on Delft comes with daily struggles—from unsafe and unreliable ferry transport to scarce access to clean drinking water, limited job opportunities, and increasing vulnerability to climate impacts. Having also endured the long shadow of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the island’s communities continue to face complex challenges that demand thoughtful, sustainable solutions.

Despite the challenges, Delft Island holds immense promise, with its rich biodiversity, unique cultural heritage, and growing potential for sustainable tourism and local enterprise. From improving transport and water access to promoting eco-tourism and disaster resilience, there are clear, actionable pathways forward.

Our report outlines these opportunities in detail, along with recommendations to support a more connected, self-reliant, and thriving Delft. Whether you’re a policymaker, development partner, or just curious about Sri Lanka’s hidden gems – this is a story worth reading.

Download the full report here.