Ferry service brings Lanka, India closer

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Passenger ships anchored at the Colombo Harbour was a common sight before the LTTE terror resulted in a security blanket, virtually suspending this operation.

Since the passenger terminal of the Colombo Harbour was no longer operating, it gathered dust and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) had to invest Rs. 60 million to refurbish it.

It took almost 30 years for the passenger service between Colombo and India to take off.

Resuming the India-Sri Lanka passenger ferry service, the first ship MV Scotia Prince arrived at the Colombo Port last month after a 14-hour journey from the Tuticorin port.

The distance between the Port of Tuticorin and Colombo is 280 nautical miles. The vessel which will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays has a capacity of over 1,040 passengers and a 300 tonnes of cargo.

The new passenger terminal at the Colombo Harbour Scotia Prince, the vessel that will ferry passengers between Tuticorin and Colombo.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana and other Ministry officials were at the Colombo Port to welcome the ship and its passengers to Sri Lanka. The vessel 'Scotia Prince', operated by Flemingo Liners, has nine decks. It has 11 first class cabins, two suites, two cabins for travellers with special needs, 169 super deluxe cabins, 22 deluxe cabins and 111 economy cabins, according to the vessel's authorised agent here.

The ferry allows baggage for up to 100 kilograms per person as well as another 100 kilograms at a lower cost compared to air travellers. Some passengers have also started to make use of the facility to take their cars across the Palk Straits.

Another boat, to start operations soon, is to be run by Sri Lanka's State-owned Ceylon Shipping Corporation.

Minister Abeygunawardane said they invested in the new passenger terminal since they wanted to provide a better service to the passenger. "With the end of the battle tourism will pick up and we expect several international cruise ships to patronise Colombo. We have to be ready to meet this demand with high standards at the harbour. This is the reason we are upgrading the passenger terminal."

The Minister said they have already brought in new trolleys for passengers and more Customs counters too have been opened.

He said one of the biggest problems the passengers face is access to the Port due to security concerns. "In a bid to overcome this, we are hoping to introduce a shuttle bus service to the port."

The Deputy Minister said they would use the SLPA land opposite Lake House as the pick up point for this proposed service. "We will be building a passenger lounge and are now on the lookout for buses to transport passengers," he said.

The old ferry service, which came to a stop 30 years ago, linked the Indian temple town of Rameshwaram to Mannar, a part of northern Sri Lanka heavily affected by the battle.