The passenger ferry service between Kankesanthurai (KKS), Jaffna and Nagapattinam, India resumed operations today (August 16) with its maiden journey being completed in four hours.
Launched in October 2023, the ferry service has resumed today after the it was suspended due to several operational issues.
The ferry ‘Sivagangai’ run by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, completed its maiden journey, between Nagapattinam and KKS with around 50 passengers onboard.
The passengers were welcomed at the KKS port by the Consul General of India at Jaffna.
In order to make the service more affordable for passengers, 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, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a statement.
Similarly, Government of Sri Lanka has also reduced the deviation tax currently charged to passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships, the statement said.
The Government of India has also extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to Government of Sri Lanka for rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.
The resumption of this service underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations through improved connectivity, as highlighted in the vision document for economic partnership jointly adopted during the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in July 2023, the statement said.
Future plans include the exploration of additional routes and services that will further expand connectivity and economic collaboration. (Newswire)
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