India-Sri Lanka ferry service restarted after 40 yrs

Source: The post is based on the article “India-Sri Lanka ferry service restarted after 40 yrs” published in “Indian Express” on 18th October 2023

What is the News?

India and Sri Lanka have inaugurated passenger ferry service from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka.

Note: A ferry is a watercraft that carries passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. 

What is the ferry service launched between India and Sri Lanka?

The passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka will run from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna, Northern Sri Lanka.

A high-speed vessel named ‘Cheriyapani’ is being operated by Shipping Corporation of India to run this ferry service.

What are the benefits of ferry service between India and Sri Lanka?

It can promote religious tourism in the coastal regions of both countries.For example, Indian travelers can access significant religious sites in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka.

The service will also boost regional commerce and trade.

What has been the historical maritime connection between India and Sri Lanka?

There has been a historical maritime connection between India and Sri Lanka. 

The Indo-Ceylon Express, known as Boat Mail, operated between Chennai and Colombo via the Thoothukudi port from the early 1900s until 1982. 

However, the civil war in Sri Lanka caused these services to stop.