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On Saturday, after a hiatus of nearly four decades, the ferry service connecting Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam with Sri Lanka’s Kankesanturai was officially inaugurated.
NEW DELHI: On Saturday, after a hiatus of nearly four decades, the ferry service connecting Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam with Sri Lanka’s Kankesanturai was officially inaugurated. The ceremony was presided over by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar participating virtually.
Addressing the event through a video conference, PM Modi emphasised that India and Sri Lanka are entering a fresh phase in their diplomatic and economic ties, and the initiation of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai marks a significant milestone in enhancing these relations.
Highlighting the common history of culture, trade, and civilisation between India and Sri Lanka, PM Modi emphasised that Nagapattinam and its neighbouring towns have a long-standing tradition of maritime trade with various nations, including Sri Lanka. He also noted that the historical port of Poompuhar is documented as a prominent trading centre in ancient Tamil literature.
Highlighting the significance of historical and cultural ties in the development of relationships between the two nations, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during his address to the audience, stated, “This is an important step in increasing the connectivity between India and Sri Lanka…The connectivity between the two countries was disrupted due to the war in the north and now peace has returned and we can reestablish the connectivity, I discussed this with PM Modi and I must thank him and the Indian shipping corporation for the role they have played in reestablishing this connectivity.”
Due to their close geographical proximity, ferry services have historically played a significant role in connecting India and Sri Lanka, enabling the movement of people, trade, and goods for many centuries. However, ferry services between the two countries were halted in the 1980s due to security concerns.
Following this, ferry services were initiated between Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) in May 2011, covering a distance of 152 nautical miles (approximately 281 kilometres) with a travel time of 10-12 hours. However, due to issues related to commercial viability and extended travel duration, these services were discontinued in November 2011.
The decision to initiate ferry services between Nagapattinam port in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka was made during the Sri Lankan President’s visit to India in July 2023. Nagapattinam, located approximately 60 nautical miles (around 110 kilometers) north of Kankesanthurai, can be reached in approximately 3-4 hours, depending on sea conditions.
At the event, Jaishankar stressing on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First policy’ and focus on boosting connectivity and cooperation with neighbouring countries, said, “This is a truly big step for people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka. And it was so recognised by Prime Minister Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This ferry symbolises the Modi government’s commitment to Neighbourhood First, SAGAR, improving ease of living and the easier to do business commitment. In future, we are looking at grid connection, pipeline and economic corridor. And of course, support for all in Sri Lanka to live in equal dignity and equal rights.”
MEA and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MOPSW) have made a request to the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to manage the ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai. In response to this request, SCI has deployed the vessel named Cheriyapani, which has a passenger capacity of 150 individuals, to provide the ferry services.
The ferry service was inaugurated on Saturday, and will operate until October 23. This service will be temporarily suspended when the Northeast Monsoon season affects the Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan coasts, making ferry operations challenging. The ferry services are expected to resume during the post-rainy season, potentially in January 2024, or during fair weather conditions.
