In my last post over two years ago India – Sri Lanka Ferry ? Whither ? I lamented that there was no ferry service between India and its immediate neighbour Sri Lanka.This post has been very extremely well received and the recent developments calls for an update.

Since early this year there has been a flurry of activity and statements by officials on both sides which raised the hopes of an early introduction of services. A launch date of 29 Apr 2023 was announced by Sri Lanka Shipping minister for start of ferry services from Karaikal(KKL) to Kankesanthurai(KKS). The distance of about a 100 km was to be covered in about four hours with a fare equivalent of 50 USD( 4000 INR or 15000 SLR) and a hefty baggage allowance of 100 kgs. The Lankan navy built the entire facility at KKS required for the ferry service such as immigration halls etc on a war footing. A Sri Lankan expat Tamil and MD of the company INDSRI Ferry Services claimed that his company was ready to launch the ferry service. That was from the Sri Lankans.

The minister for minor ports in Tamil Nadu wanted the service to run from Rameswaram to Talaimannar but Rameswaram port needed development. Do recollect that this service was discontinued in 1984 due to the civil strife in Lanka. Others wanted a restoration of the Boat Mail ! The private port operator in Karaikal ran into bankruptcy and was being taken over by another Indian conglomerate. The port Infrastructure on the Indian side at Karaikal was not ready while the KKS facility was all set to receive passengers.

Needles to say, come 29 Apr (2023) there was no ferry service – The Indian side offered no clarity on the ports and all silence prevailed thereafter. In July this year, the MOU signed between the two countries after the visit of the Sri Lankan president made a mention of a start of ferry services. The MOU also spoke of “examining the viability of a land bridge to boost connectivity between the two neighbours” ( Seriously – are they thinking of bridge across the sea ! like in the Ramayana ! when a boat service hasn’t fructified all these years). Subsequent official level meetings now seem to indicate that Nagapattinam is the choice of port on the Indian side. Work on the facility is expected to start soon and may take four to six months to start the ferry service to KKS. More interest is being shown by private operators who now are thinking of a ferry service from Tuticorin.

Meanwhile in June a regular luxury cruise ship of the Cordelia Cruises MV Empress carried the first overseas passengers to the new terminal of KKS while on a round trip from Chennai to Srilanka , which perhaps bodes well for the ferry. Even Google maps show a ferry between Nagapattinam and Colombo !! With such increased focus it appears that ferry service may finally see the light of the day almost forty years after it was discontinued. I am eagerly looking forward to this and now that we have new date let us wait and watch.

Updated on 08 October 2023 India-Sri Lanka ferry service set to begin Tuesday, 10 October over a decade since plan first mooted- Shipping Corporation of India will run the service from Nagapattinam to KKS . More details to follow .Sincerely hope it materialises at least this time !!

Updated on 11 October 2023 – Now postponed to 12 October due to unspecified reasons – Just what is happening?

Updated 13 Oct – One more tomorrow !!!!!!! Tamil Nadu to start ferry service from Nagapattinam to Sri Lanka from tomorrow ie October 14 ;Some more clarity today from the Nagapattinam Harbour department at a discounted fare of 2300 INR – Will it happen >

Updated 14 October – Launched today At last !!! -PM Modi & EAM Jaishankar attended the launch virtually

Updated 14 May 2024 – The service was launched with great pomp and show and was promptly cancelled after that due to “lack of patronage” – or so they say – HSC Cheriyapani the ship earmarked for this route appears to have been pulled out of its regular Lakshadweep run just for the inauguration and is now back on its regular route. – What a disappointment- or shall I call it a Sham ?

Updated 09 Jun 2024 –

The launch slated for 14 May 2024 has again been postponed – Instead of the Shipping Corporation of India the service is now scheduled to be run by a Sri Lankan company Ms INDSRI ferry Services on the ferry Sivaganga. The operator has posted this message(see alongside) on their web site http://sailindsri.com. There however seems to be some progress and the web site has been enabled to purchase tickets although it states “no voyages scheduled at the moment”Eagerly awaiting the start of the services .

Updated 16 August –

At last there is again some hope -Indsri services are planning to start services between Nagapattinam and KKS (jaffna) from 18 August2024 and bookings are open for the four hour journey.Tickets are available at https://sailindsri.com/home – here is an extract- I must travel on this boat at the earliest