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Passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka begins
An international, high-speed passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in the northern province of Sri Lanka, has resumed as of Saturday, October 14, 2023, after a gap of nearly four decades.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal and Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, E.V. Velu, flagged off the craft from the Nagapattinam port on Saturday.
The high-speed craft (HSC) Cheriyapani, embarked on its journey around 8.15 a.m. from the Nagapattinam port with 50 passengers and 12 crew members headed by Captain Biju George, on board.
In video messages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe hailed this diplomatic effort and highlighted the importance of launching the ferry service between the two nations.
Calling it a new chapter in diplomatic and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka, Mr. Modi said the ferry service will help strengthen cultural, commercial, and civilisational ties between the two nations. Connectivity is the central theme of the joint vision of the India - Sri Lanka economic partnership, Mr. Modi said, adding that India will take steps to resume the operation of the ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar as well.
Comments - 55
Comments - Passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka begins
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Kandiah Balendran Saturday, 14 October 2023 01:19 PM
Human trafficking could increase and smuggling perhaps.
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Mahila Saturday, 14 October 2023 09:57 PM
As if there isn't enough of those doing it already, into Sri Lanka!!!??? What abysmal Thoughts of the ENLIGHTENED and 2600 ‘Culture Conscious’ society, OF NO EMOTIVE SELF-CONTROL!? The country has Ports. Airports linking other sources of ECONOMIC refugees, going to Europe and UK, via Italy, Greece and Cyprus, which presumably, conveniently not accounted as Human Trafficking!!!??? Or Colombo Dubai, Uganda and Kenya and Madagascar which are saintly and there is no account or record of Smuggling, including “PRINTED MATERIAL” – FULL PLANE (CHARTERED FLIGHTS) Loads to exemplify as STARTING POINT!!!???
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Mahila Saturday, 14 October 2023 09:57 PM
As if there isn't enough of those doing it already, into Sri Lanka!!!??? What abysmal Thoughts of the ENLIGHTENED and 2600 ‘Culture Conscious’ society, OF NO EMOTIVE SELF-CONTROL!? The country has Ports. Airports linking other sources of ECONOMIC refugees, going to Europe and UK, via Italy, Greece and Cyprus, which presumably, conveniently not accounted as Human Trafficking!!!??? Or Colombo Dubai, Uganda and Kenya and Madagascar which are saintly and there is no account or record of Smuggling, including “PRINTED MATERIAL” – FULL PLANE (CHARTERED FLIGHTS) Loads to exemplify as STARTING POINT!!!???
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Sylvester R Alwis Sunday, 15 October 2023 12:14 PM
We must try to minimize entry-points with India than opening new ones, if we are to develop. There is enough of cultural dominance from India here and we're bored with it. We need a break now.
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Dulanjoli Premadosa Saturday, 14 October 2023 01:20 PM
Tamil population would increase.
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Mahila Sunday, 15 October 2023 03:25 AM
Niyama "DOSAI Dosa" it looks like!!!???
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Mahila Sunday, 15 October 2023 06:30 AM
So what DP??? That is your greatest fear of your lifetime!!!??? Well, there may be others who think, they may go extinct, if they don't have this connectivity!!!??? That's why you starved in 2022!!?? Maybe you had stacks of money and people to serve you, didn't feel the difference!!!???
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ERAN Wicks Saturday, 14 October 2023 01:21 PM
Disaster in the making.
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Rope round neck Saturday, 14 October 2023 01:52 PM
Closer the ties tightening our own necks, only India will celebrate this development.
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Mahila Saturday, 14 October 2023 10:39 PM
.........And Sri Lanka and Lankans, Additional Foreign Currency – though Ind. Rs., enabling, repayment – 1.4 Billion USD Indian Credit line Imports atleast!!!??? Otherwise SL would become, ‘HINGA KANAWA Society’, of “T-NADU” Rice, Parrippu??? Why not LUXURY CRUISE LINER SERVICE form Shanghai and Hong Kong to Hambantota and Colombo those using this service automatically get 1 or 2 Month period "Free visa on arrival" so that they are able to re-embark using the 'looped service' of the Luxury Liner on its voyage China, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Emirates, Mauritius, Kenya, Madagascar and return!! ‘Hon.’ Ms DIANA GAMAGE “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, SAVIOUR”!!!??? This atleast get some CHINESE YUAN !!!!???? May be 7 times slower than, “FORT KNOX” USD to REPAY!!!?? They say, SOMETHING is BETTER than NOTHING, leaving all our Debts – Future Generations!!!???
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Mandayan Saturday, 14 October 2023 02:40 PM
M… not that useful. People got to travel from major cities to Nagapattinam in filthy trains and buses for hours to get in to boat. Previous idea if Pandicheri which is close to Chennai should be considered.
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Mahila Monday, 16 October 2023 05:37 AM
The French descendants may not approve such transition - their" PRESERVE"!!!??? They are more Christian than Buddhists, and majority going through from SL would be the latter!!!??? Fearful, next year Easter Sunday would Replicate SL EASTER SUNDAY 2019 SYNDROME!!!??? What if our OWN 'CHENA-GINITHIYANATHUMA' also decides at the same time to ‘PRAY’ at Thirupathy and GO shopping to Singapore, to celebrate the wedding of any other progeny, he may decide to!!!??? DISASTER enhanced to the Power 'N'!!?? APPOCLAYPSE and ARMAGEDDON!!!??? Sorry Sena would be cloistered in Lion city Hotel (Don’t know with whom??), Pujitha and Hemasiri cannot be accounted for as accomplices or scapegoats for “DERELICTION OF DUTY”, AND NILANTHATHANTHRI, ENSCONCED with THE ‘POWERFUL’ (..PP) – NO CHANCE!! SS ‘Jumps SOLO’!!?? ADD to MISERY HE PAY SOLO the compensation 450 million Rupees – PITTANCE!!!
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wsw Saturday, 14 October 2023 02:52 PM
More Kallathonies will come in hordes to our country, that's all we need. Hope the immigration procedures will be strict in monitoring these fellows coming to SL and departing the island within the Visa time frames.
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Mahila Tuesday, 17 October 2023 04:55 AM
Passport Application numbers, reveal ‘DIRECTION of FLIGHT’, BEYOND any DOUBT!!?? True 75 years ago, Nascent post-independence India, 'closed economy', "stunted" Growth, causing Civilian hardships, critically poor starved, deprived 'BASICS' - Sugar, Rice, Flour, Cooking, Kerosene Oil and Public Amenities!!?? MISERY!! Add, ‘LACK OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES’ (then 1947 – 1980)!!?? Times HAVE CHANGED significantly - 360° degrees OR IS IT 180°!!!??? Reversed early 90’s
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Lanka Saturday, 14 October 2023 02:56 PM
Sri Lanka must make use of this facility to increase its trade with India; attract more Indian tourists; earning from this two way service . We no longer could live in an isolated from the rest of Indian continent.. More than one billion people live next to us.. It is a huge assets for us to market our Lankan products.. Why not we sell them our products ? They love our coconut products and they they love our unique foods why not SRi Lankans open sri Lankan restaurants in our own way in each and every Indian cities ? Consider a huge markets we have ...but we must build good rapport with Indian people . We should know how to make use of this
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Disaster Saturday, 14 October 2023 04:39 PM
Along with this now no visa required for Indians.Have Ranil gone bonkers? What disaster is awaiting?
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Mahila Sunday, 15 October 2023 03:28 AM
And Sri Lanka and Lankans, Additional Foreign Currency – though Ind. Rs., enabling, repayment – 1.4 Billion USD Indian Credit line Imports atleast!!!??? Otherwise SL would become, ‘HINGA KANAWA Society’, of “T-NADU” Rice, Parrippu??? Why not LUXURY CRUISE LINER SERVICE form Shanghai and Hong Kong to Hambantota and Colombo those using this service automatically get 1 or 2 Month period "Free visa on arrival" so that they are able to re-embark using the 'looped service' of the Luxury Liner on its voyage China, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Emirates, Mauritius, Kenya, Madagascar and return!!
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Buddjika Saturday, 14 October 2023 05:54 PM
This will be a disaster few decades later definitely. We are very very sad about our children and their families.
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Mahila Thursday, 19 October 2023 03:52 AM
To ensure “DISASTER FREE” future, employ the 185,000 Security forces – not yet decommissioned after 30 year war to Function as “Tasked Armed Force Anti-Illicit Immigration” (TAFAII) to combat that menace!!!??? Then the excess in Army is put to good use, instead of being Fed for relaxing!!! Sure Nandikadal Weeraya would be only too happy, doesn’t have to de-commission any Mates!!!??? Consider as compassionate, Patriotic act safeguarding survival of 185,000 families (400,000 Lives)!!? Safeguarding War Winning Ranaviruwo’s is HIGHEST exemplary, Patriotic, Nationalistic ACT!!??
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Matt Chris Saturday, 14 October 2023 07:08 PM
@Dulanjoli Premadosa Do you think you came from other planet. Go back and study a history you too came from india. Not from china or UK. I know your little knowledge because you still live in jungle. Wake up mate.
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Ruwan Saturday, 14 October 2023 07:52 PM
Thank you Ranil. Another brainchild of yours has got off the ground. We'll see maybe in two years whether this has benefited Sri Lanka.
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kamal nathan Saturday, 14 October 2023 09:07 PM
Tamils in Sri Lanka is more connected to Tamils in Tamil Nadu religiously and culturally. Tamils in north and east should welcome our Indian tourist from India and develop their business for tourist attractions like hotels and food facilities to make their income increase.
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Mandayan Saturday, 14 October 2023 10:30 PM
@WSW: You remembered Vijaya and his friends, yes? LOL!!. No worries we have our immigration officers, ready to process all visitors!
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Patcitz Saturday, 14 October 2023 11:04 PM
We are losing our dignity and sovereignty because of this Ranil's Pro-LTTE project.
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Lanka Saturday, 14 October 2023 11:27 PM
There must be visa for nationals .. How could we allow one billion Indian to visit us without visa ?/if so they can come without visa many of them come and stay for ever in sri Lanka as it has happened before ... We must have visa system
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Kumara Saturday, 14 October 2023 11:29 PM
Those who have made opposing comments here must realise Sri Lanka had gone poor and needs Indians' money, also the boat service is resuming after a gap nearly 40year. So this is not something new for Sri Lankans.
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Tit for Tat Rat Sunday, 15 October 2023 02:06 AM
Reply to @wsw: yes we have many Sinhala Illegals in boats trying to get to Europe, Australia and N America.i believe that the idiot Vijaya was a Kalllathoni as well. Are you not a decendant of an imaginary lion breeding one of Vijayas women?
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Ranjit Wijesinha Sunday, 15 October 2023 02:47 AM
Sinhalese can migrate to their ancestral land the south India.
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DD Sunday, 15 October 2023 02:47 AM
Yay, the ferry service is back! This is great news for regular people because they can now avoid spending lots of money on expensive flights. It's like a cool adventure where you can feel the sea breeze and enjoy the ocean views as you travel between India and Sri Lanka. This makes overseas trips much more affordable for lots of people. So, get your sunglasses and sunscreen ready because an exciting and budget-friendly sea journey is waiting for you!
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Budd Sunday, 15 October 2023 03:55 AM
Can't call this an international affair, just a Tamil-Tamik thing. Nobody else will be on these boats.
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Mahila Monday, 16 October 2023 07:23 PM
Time will tell, how many would use this ferry in future, go to Buddha Gaya!!???
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The doctor Sunday, 15 October 2023 06:02 AM
India has high levels of HIV and Hepatitis B. Specially amoung the labourers in TN. Soon Jaffna peninsula will get infected . Can’t stop do your own research .
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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 15 October 2023 06:47 AM
Welcome more and more diseases frequently and poop on the roads.
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Mahila Tuesday, 17 October 2023 02:36 PM
Thankfully, the Indians don't grow the Paddy plants on the "ROADS", and we Sri Lankans are saved from POOP ridden Rice, Dhal, Onions and Chilies being part of Menu of Sri Lankan Meals!!!??? Whatever the negative attributes and they are tasty, clamoured for, devoured especially palatable only when we are Starving!!?? Mental instability due starvation doesn’t enable us to remember, when ‘Pangs of Hunger’ strikes otherwise, lot would have complained Nausea, Diarrhoea post consumption, which is not the case!!!??? The legumes and Leaves propagated in Grandpass, Mattakkuliya, FERTILISED by CMC sewerage emptying Tankers are relished even by C-7 Households for their extraordinary taste and "REGULARS" daily Lunch Menu!!!???
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Prof. K.M. Sritharan Sunday, 15 October 2023 07:22 AM
At least one good thing Ranil did. well, that is the Ferry service, this is highly appreciable.
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J.D. Samarasinghe - Vendor Sunday, 15 October 2023 07:24 AM
Good move.... this service will be fruitful in the future exchanging foodstuffs and fruits for a reasonable price.
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Sri Wickrema Sunday, 15 October 2023 10:26 AM
Earlier we had a very good ferry service from Talaimannar to Rameswaran until LTTE ruined it. Most people who made comments here behave like frogs in the well. We have same experience when Suwasariya ambulance service was introduced. Unfortunately we will never learn and are afraid of anything new.
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Radha Krishnan Sunday, 15 October 2023 10:28 AM
Amazing to see the number of India haters. Latch on to a growing economy and grow with it. It is the Gujarati (Modi) model. Everyone is happy when they prosper and have little time for bickering. Else live in a cocoon and keep cursing the hand that is stretched out to help you. Lankans are not stupid, they unfortunately had no choice but self-centered leaders. Lankans need someone like Modi whose only focus seems to be development.
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Seqi Sunday, 15 October 2023 12:01 PM
Nice for international tourists to visit Jaffna via India and not have the hassle of Colombo airport. Then easier to fly to Batticallo.
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Selvakumar Sunday, 15 October 2023 12:05 PM
Visa should be a compulsary. If not it will be a disaster. Poor people from all over India will end up in Sri Lanka doing all kinds of stuff like selling stuff on the street corners, begging, prostitution and will never leave.
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Mahila Monday, 16 October 2023 08:16 PM
NO Visa is Misnomer!!?? VISA ON ARRIVAL TO DISEMBARKATION PORT!!!???
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the facts Sunday, 15 October 2023 01:18 PM
There's going to be an influx of Tamil refugees into India than to Sri Lanka. According to a recent survey taken in May 2023 there are over 58,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in several camps in Tamilnadu since the war which must be a terrible burden to India.
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Steve Sunday, 15 October 2023 01:22 PM
Everyone is a Kallathoni in this land. You can now use this ferry service to get back to where you came from.
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Mahila Monday, 16 October 2023 04:59 AM
IS IT F.O.C. (Free of Charge)!!!??? IT'S, WELL WORTH IT, whether being a "Kalla Thoni" or NOT!!!??? May EVEN been ‘IMPORTED”, along with the “PANDIYAN PRINCESS COTERIE”, which our SUPREME ANCESTOR from wherever or whichever part of INDIA, the case may be, because they felt they couldn't continue their existence in the absence of the Pandiyan – Now being loathed as “TOILET NADU”, though devouring the ‘GIFTED RICE, LENTILS’ with SWASHBUCKLING GLEE
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Dunindu Sunday, 15 October 2023 02:42 PM
More than Indians..our locals are in the thirst of moving out
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Mahila Monday, 16 October 2023 04:40 AM
Application numbers for Passports, reveal that beyond Doubt!!?? These so-called grievances may have existed, 70 - 80 years ago, when India post-independence being 'closed economy', "stunted" growth and economy, causing hardships to civilians of all walks of life and critically, the poor who starved or deprived of 'BASICS' - Sugar, Rice, Flour, Cooking Oil, Kerosene and of NO gas (Era of cooking gas hasn't evolved then) and Public Transport to meet the demand of 960 MILLION (1947)!!! MISERY ‘LACK OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES’ then as NOW!!?? Times HAVE CHANGED - 360° degrees OR IS IT 180°!!!??? Reversed early 90’s
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Lankan Sunday, 15 October 2023 02:54 PM
@radha Krishan, @seqi - totally agree with you both. There is lot of time for bikering rather than building/ growing. Tourist visiting South India will make use of the ferry to visit the north or vice-versa.... SriLanka tourists can organise the same to visit South India! Golden opportunity.... If you use it properly!
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Rohan Sunday, 15 October 2023 06:10 PM
To Steve. Correct Steve and we all descended from Indian immigrants to the island from prehistoric, ancient, medieval to fairly recent and not from any other land. Latest DNA analysis also proves this and even the ancestors of the Sri Lankan Muslims did not arrive from western Asia but from South Asia, meaning then Tamil South India, the Arab origin has now been proved to be a myth. Similarly, the ancestors of the vast majority of the present-day Sinhalese, themselves arrived from ancient Tamil South India, Modern day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, southern Karnataka and Andhra, again from prehistoric, ancient to recent times. Read the history of the Sinhalese Karawa, Salagama, Durawa, and many other castes all of recent South Indian origin. Yet these people are very ignorant of this truth, Tamil Nadu is now thriving and an economic powerhouse and no same person from Tamil Nadu or from other parts of South India will ever want to migrate here legally or illegally. It will be the other way.
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Mohan Sunday, 15 October 2023 11:12 PM
Nagapattinam is close to Thanjavur and Chidambaram. So, it is good for those who want to visit the temples of South India. I don't know if business community would be interested in this, because the textile industry is located near Chennai.
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YLG Monday, 16 October 2023 02:56 AM
It's a very good development. The two countries have been tied up for thousands of years. And will remain so for a thousand more. They need to develop the Adam's bridge as well.
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Thomas Dharmachandra Monday, 16 October 2023 09:08 AM
Looking at 90% of the comments on this subject of Ferry Service between India and Sri Lanka, we Sri Lankans have always Negative thinking, and short memory. Many have forgotten that India only helped us when we were almost starving ( Not the guys who have commented here ) but a larger population . Be positive and think positive
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Thomas Dharmachandra Monday, 16 October 2023 09:13 AM
TO: SELVAKUMAR I think you are a Tamil by looking at your name. During the riots when the Sinhalese population beat you you run away from here to India, the closest country and become a Refugee there. Don't utter nonsense being a Tamil.
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How to Win Friends and Influence People Monday, 16 October 2023 09:54 AM
Oh, sure, @Doctor, our country is just a shining beacon of excellence, isn't it? We've got it all: corruption that could put any Hollywood drama to shame, politicians who've practically achieved god-like status with their ever-changing policies, and let's not forget our delightful habit of altering regulations every month. Who needs progress and unity when we can revel in our old-school, narrow-minded thinking where some folks still believe they're inferior to minorities? Bravo, indeed!
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Ashad Dole Monday, 16 October 2023 11:09 AM
India gave Sri Lanka many things and one that stands out very prominently is what we hold closest to our hearts, and that is Lord Buddha's Dhamma, which lights up our lives day in and day out. India leads the world in many spheres and they have a vibrant economy and the world's largest democracy, hence building bridges with India is and will be advantages to us. A spill out from their economy would be economically advantages to us. We should see this with an open mind and not with a biased one.
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S.Siva Wednesday, 18 October 2023 07:09 AM
I have studied this ferry restart drama. The ferry itself which needs to run between the two counties could do it in 2 hrs max . A good second hand ferry which can do this work can carry say 6 vehicles and 150 passengers which can do this stretch of sea in 2-3 hrs max and can be purchased in the international market and be brought to Kankesan thurai for $ 750,000 max. Bribes make it a non starter and Sri Lanka is 100 times Less corrupt than its counterpart on the other side. So we cannot have the service even if we know that it's worthwhile. This service I give it 6 months to fold up. Sri Lanka if it's serious in having this service should insist in a boat from each side to ensure the services continusly
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