India-Sri Lanka ferry service hits a snag

By Yohan Perera

The passenger service between Pondicherry, India, and Sri Lanka has encountered a fresh snag as there is no ferry to continue it, Secretary K. D. S. Ruwanchandra said yesterday.  

“A ferry was provided by the Indian Coast Guard to start the service, but it was taken away by them after four days,” Mr. Ruwanchandra told a media briefing.  

He assured that there are no other issues regarding the service and there is no issue with India.  

“We are inviting investors to come in and provide us with a ferry,” he added.  

The passenger ferry service between Sri Lanka and India commenced at the end of April 2023, with a ship carrying 150 passengers arriving from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry, South India, to Kankesanthurai Port in Sri Lanka.  

However, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority said a cruise liner is currently operating between India and Hambantota, and also between India and Trincomalee. The cruise liner calls at Hambantota on Wednesdays and Trincomalee on Thursdays, according to the authority.