13 December 2022 06:14 pm
A decision has been taken to start a ferry service in mid-January 2023 between South India (Pondicherry), Kankesanthurai (KKS), and Trincomalee, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.
The decision was announced at a meeting held at the Ministry yesterday. He said the Indian Government had extended consent for the service.
"A large number of Indian citizens are engaged in business activities in the Jaffna Peninsula. With such engagement, the new service is expected to generate a large portion of foreign revenue. It will also be of immense convenience for Buddhist pilgrims to India," he said.
During the discussion, ferry owners emphasized that the existing facilities at the ports should be upgraded further to continue providing passenger service.
The Minister instructed the Ministry Secretary to take immediate steps to develop infrastructure related to Customs, Immigration and Emigration and other facilities at the Sri Lankan ports according to Government procurement procedures.
The vessels under the new service will carry 300 to 400 passengers on a trip that will take about three and half hours between destinations, according to ferry owners.
Ferry owners suggested that they would have to charge US$ 60 (About LKR 21,000) per passenger for a single journey and that each passenger could carry up to 100 kg of luggage. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)