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New ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo flagged off



Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Foreign Secretary K. Amunugama and Ports Authority Chairman, Dr Priyath Bandu Wickrema on arrival of the Scotia Prince



The Scotia Prince anchored in Sri Lankan waters

 


The Maha Sangha blessing the crew on its maiden voyage

 


Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Indian High Commissioner celebrating the resumption of the ferry service

The much-awaited ferry service linking Sri Lanka and India completed its maiden voyage on Tuesday.

The liner Scortia Prince carrying 200 guests from India arrived at the Colombo Harbour on Tuesday completing a nine-hour journey from - Tuticorin Port. The voyage marked a historic moment on growing relations between the two countries.

Indian Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan flagged off Scotia Prince on Monday at Tuticorin. With over 150 nautical miles between Tuticorin and Colombo which is an entirely different route to the original ferry service 30 years ago, which was from Tuticorin to Talaimannar.

The ferry services between the two countries were resumed as a result of an understanding between the Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lanka President in June 2010, when President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited India.

Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Ashok K. Kantha and Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana participated in the ceremony at the passenger terminal in Colombo and welcomed the first passengers. The ferry service which will be a boon to cross-border tourism ensures a convenient and low cost mode of transport especially for less affluent travellers and pilgrims.

The vessel operated by an Indian company, Flemingo Lines can carry over 1000 passengers on board and will make two journeys per week. The Ceylon Shipping Corporation is expected to deploy another ferry within a month to cater to the demand that is expected to grow.


Indian Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan flags off Scotia Prince in Tuticorin

The basic fare for the journey will be Indian Rs. 2,243 per person in economy class and it will be higher for passengers travelling in first class, according to the ship's agents. The ferry has scheduled trips to Colombo on Mondays and Fridays and to Tuticorin from Colombo on Wednesdays and Sundays.

According to the Indian media, although a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Sri Lankan and Indian governments in October last year, the commencement of the ferry service was delayed as New Delhi had to deploy the ships to ferry stranded Indian expatriates home from Libya.

The vessel also houses specialised cabins for the disabled. A second sea route voyage between the old route Talaimannar in Northern Sri Lanka and Rameshwaram in South India is also being contemplated by officials of the two countries.

Although Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister opposed the move to restore the ferry link, the two countries agreed to re-commence the ferry services in order to restore the traditional links and connectivity between the two countries.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two Governments on January 7 this year to start the services.

A cabin Dining area of Scotia Prince

Pix courtesy The Hindu

 

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