Ferry service between SL and India to commence 
[January 08 2011]

<p>Sea transportation is to begin between Colombo and Tuticorin
(Thuthukudi), and Talaimannar and Rameshwaram soon.

<p>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Sri Lanka and
India on Passenger Transport by Sea at Temple Trees by the Ministry of
Ports and Highways Secretary Sujatha Cooray and Indian High
Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha.

<p>The Colombo-Tuticorin service will commence initially and Indian based
IRCON has already commenced survey to restore the damaged pier in
Talaimannar.


<p>The decision of resuming the sea service was mooted during the talks
held in India between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh.

<p>The ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin, and between
Talaimannar and Rameshwaram stopped after 1982.