Delay in Resumption of Passenger Ferry Service between India and Sri Lanka
Colombo: The eagerly awaited resumption of the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and the Kankesanthurai region near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka has once again been postponed indefinitely. Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva cited a ‘technical shortcoming’ as the reason for the delay, without disclosing further details.
The passenger ferry service, crucial for India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation, was initially launched in October last year but was soon halted due to rough weather. Despite multiple attempts to resume the service, including a recent scheduled date of May 13, persistent delays have hindered its operation.
India has shown its commitment to the project by providing grant assistance of $63.65 million to rehabilitate the Kankesanthurai Port in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. This port, located about 104 kilometers from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry, is a key link for the direct passenger ship service covering a distance of 111 kilometers in approximately three and a half hours.
The ferry service will be managed by IndSri Ferry Services, selected by the Shipping Corporation of India in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka.
Published on 16 May 2024, 07:49 IST