The inaugural ferry service from Nagapattinam, India that reached Kankesanthurai (KKS), Jaffna yesterday marked the resumption of Indo-Lanka sea connectivity across the Palk Straits after four decades
The ferry vessel, “Cheriyapani”, reached the Northern harbour -KKS around 12.15 pm yesterday following over three-hour long journey from Nagapattinam with 50 passengers onboard. The passenger ferry, which is expected to be run daily headed back to Nagapattinam at 2.00 pm.
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva and Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda welcomed the Indian passengers to Sri Lanka.
Addressing the event organized in KKS to welcome the vessel, Minister de Silva expressed hopes that more ferry passenger service operators will come forward to operate on a daily basis.
He also added that his Ministry allocated Rs 600 million to repair and renovate the Thalaimannar pier to resume the ferry service that would connect Rameswaram in the near future.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message, said at the inauguration ceremony held in Nagapattinam that the launch of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanturai is an important milestone in strengthening relations between the two countries. “We are embarking on a new chapter in the diplomatic and economic relations between India and Sri Lanka,” (Pix by N. Lohathayalan)
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