India-Sri Lanka ferry service operates smoothly

Colombo, October 23 (Daily Mirror) - The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in Sri Lanka's Northern Province is currently operating smoothly, IndSri Ferry Service Pvt. Ltd Managing Director, S. Niranjan Nandagopan said.

He told the Daily Mirror that the ferry service operates four days a week with full capacity as usual.

The passenger vessel, Sivagangai, resumed its ferry service between the two countries in October 2023. Operations were relaunched on August 16, 2024, after a brief pause.

Indian and Sri Lankan tourists receive visas on arrival in both countries, and ferry tickets can be booked online.

To make the ferry service more affordable, the Government of India is providing financial assistance of over LKR 25 million per month for one year to cover relevant charges and operating costs at the Nagapattinam port.

Additionally, the Government of Sri Lanka has reduced the departure tax charged to passengers leaving Sri Lanka by vessels and ships.

Looking ahead, there are plans to explore additional routes and services to expand connectivity and enhance economic collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.