The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka is all set to commence again from August 16 as all clearances have been obtained by the operator, according to Indian media. 

DT Next reports that the IndSri Ferry Service Private Ltd in an official communication on Monday said that the ferry service would be operated from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai at Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

As per the statement, the operators said the ferry, ‘Sivagangai’ has been deployed for the service for which the online booking for passengers would open from midnight on August 12 and the service will start from August 16.

Though the service was initially planned between Karaikal and Kankesanthurai, subsequently, the route was altered from Nagapattinam as Karaikal port has been focussing on coal shipments, particularly, for industrial purposes, and in that case, it might be risky for the facility to handle passenger services.

After the agreement made between India and Sri Lanka, the Nagapattinam port was readied with an allocation of Rs 3 crore for port modernisation and construction of separate lounges for obtaining citizenship, medical examination, security check and scanning of baggage.

The service was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the trial run in October 2023. The service commenced with the vessel Cheriyapani, thereafter suspended since the climatic conditions were not favourable.

Sources said that there are as many as 150 seats for passengers in addition to 30 crew members. The tickets were fixed at Rs 6,000. (Newswire)

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The Government will introduce the luxury train service, ‘Yaal Nila’, from Kankasanthurai to Mount Lavinia, from August 04, 2023.

Targeting the Northern Province, the ‘Yaal Nila’ train service will offer first-class tickets at a cost of Rs. 4000, second-class tickets at Rs. 3000, and third-clas tickets at Rs. 2000.

Leaving the Mount Lavinia station at 10.30 pm on Friday night the train will reach Kanakasanthurai at 06.00 am on Saturday. 

The train will return from Kankasanthurai at 10.30 pm on Sunday and reach Mount Lavinia at 06.00 am on Monday. 

The luxury train consists of 106 seats in first class, 128 seats in second class, and 336 seats in third class. The seats can be reserved via the online booking system. 

Minister of Transportation Bandula Gunawardena stated that the ‘Yaal Nila’ will join other tourism-related train services such as the ‘Ella Odyssey’ and ‘Seethavaka Odyssey’.

The Minister made the remarks while addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has commenced the expansion of the Kankasanthurai harbour facility in support of the new ferry service to be launched between Sri Lanka and India.

The Navy stated that the government of Sri Lanka launched a project for a passenger ferry service between the port of Kankasanthurai in Sri Lanka and Pondicherry in India to provide a more affordable and convenient mode of transportation.

In support of this project, the Sri Lanka Navy has commenced facility expansion of the Kankasanthurai harbour, with a view to accommodate more traffic and provide better infrastructure.

The Navy stated it is committed to nurturing a stable ocean region for the safe conduct of economic activities in Sri Lankan waters. In addition, the Navy has often made its skilled manpower, efficiency and technical expertise available for the overall progress and prosperity of the nation.

Following the directives of the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Sri Lanka Navy has taken an active role in supporting the expansion of the Kankasanthurai harbour facility by enabling its manpower and expertise, in response to a request of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation.

Accordingly, the project got underway on 01st February, with skilled manpower and industrial expertise enabled by the Navy.

Thus, the Sri Lanka Navy has undertaken the construction of a passenger terminal for immigration and customs clearance of people who intend to use this passenger ferry service. Required materials for the construction work are provided by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Presently, a group of 60 naval personnel are engaged in the construction of a 1000 square meter passenger terminal, under the supervision of naval civil engineering officers. The construction work of the passenger terminal will be completed soon and thereupon the facility will be handed over to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for its operational purposes.

The passenger ferry service project is part of a larger effort to strengthen longstanding ties between India and Sri Lanka, with a focus on improving tourism.

The Navy stated that its contribution towards prompt implementation of the project, will not only save a lot of public money but also enable the public to enjoy the expected benefits of this project in due course. (NewsWire)

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