The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, which was earlier launched in October 2023, resumed today (Aug. 16).
The ferry ‘Sivagangai’ run by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, completed its maiden journey between Nagapattinam and KKS in approximately 4 hours with around 50 passengers on board, the Indian High Commission in Colombo states in a media release.
The passengers were welcomed at the KKS port by the Consul General of India at Jaffna.
This signifies broader efforts to enhance maritime connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.
The media release further notes that in order to make service more affordable for passengers, the Government of India has decided to provide financial assistance of over LKR 25 million per month, for a period of one year, to cover relevant charges and operating costs at Nagapattinam port. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka has reduced the deviation tax currently charged to passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.
Future plans include the exploration of additional routes and services that will further expand connectivity and economic collaboration.