Sri Lanka Cabinet Approves Ferry Services between Colombo & Turicorin and Thalaimannar & Rameswaram

17th December 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's cabinet of ministers had given the nod for two ferry services to be set up with India between Colombo and Turicorin and Thalaimannar and Rameswaram, the government said.

The government's information office said a memorandum of understanding will be signed to give effect to the ferry services, which will also provided for additional service point by mutual agreement.

On December 02, India's shipping minister G K Vasan said the Indian cabinet of ministers had approved the deal.

Indian reports said the first ferry would start between Turicorin and Colombo and the Tuticorin Port Trust has been directed to provide infrastructure for the service.

The two cities were 152 nautical miles apart and the journey may take 10 to 12 hours, but fares will be significantly cheaper than the air fare between the two countries, the report said.

India is already the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka. By November 2010 Indian visitors topped 111,000 out of a total of 569,000 tourists to Sri Lanka, emerging ahead of UK with 95,000.

A large number of Sri Lankans also travel to India on business and pilgrimages.

Related Info:
Indian Cabinet clears Passenger Ferry Service Proposal between India and Sri Lanka

Indian Cabinet clears Passenger Ferry Service Proposal between India and Sri Lanka

02nd December 2010, www.thehindu.com

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the proposal for a passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka that will strengthen economic and cultural ties.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed soon between India and Sri Lanka for providing a joint mechanism for passenger transportation between the two countries, said G.K. Vasan, Union Minister of Shipping in New Delhi.

According to a release, it is proposed to start the passenger ferry service initially between Tuticorin and Colombo and subsequently extend it to other destinations, namely Rameswaram and Thalaimannar.

The Ministry of Shipping directed the Tuticorin Port Trust for the creation of infrastructure for the commencement of the service.

The distance between Colombo and Tuticorin is about 152 nautical miles and the duration of the journey will be about 10 to 12 hours.

Passenger fare

The passenger fare will be significantly cheaper compared to the airfare between these two destinations.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka India Ferry Service between Colombo-Tuticorin and Talaimannar-Rameswaram to Start

Sri Lanka India Ferry Service between Colombo-Tuticorin and Talaimannar-Rameswaram to Start

15th October 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

India and Sri Lanka have agreed on and initialled a draft agreement to resume ferry services between the two neighbours that was disrupted by the island's ethnic war, a statement said.

"The two sides agreed on the text of the Memorandum of Understanding for passenger transportation by sea between the two countries and initialed the text of the MoU," the Indian High Commission statement said.

The deal came during a visit to Sri Lanka by a delegation led by K Mohandas, Secretary to India's Ministry of Shipping during October 14-15 for talks with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Ports on passenger transportation by sea between the two countries.

"The MoU would be signed by the two countries after the necessary internal processes are completed, following which ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and Talaimannar and Rameswaram can be put in place," the statement said.

A ferry service operated between Talaimannar on Sri Lanka's north-west coast and Rameshwaram in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu before the ethnic war.

The 30-year war ended in May 2009 paving the way for the resumption of the ferry service as well as a new one between Colombo port and the port of Tuticorin also in south India.