A passenger ship service between India and Sri Lanka, aimed at enhancing trade and tourism between the two countries, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 14 of last year. The service was launched using the ship “Suryapani,” owned by the Shipping Corporation of India. However, the service was halted just days later due to seasonal changes, causing disappointment among tourists from both nations.

Subsequently, the responsibility for the maritime transportation service between the two countries was transferred to a private company. Although it was announced that the service would resume in May of this year, various reasons have delayed the launch.

Recently, a trial run was conducted with a smaller ship named “Sivagangai,” capable of carrying 150 passengers, which arrived in Nagapattinam. Yesterday, Puducherry Minister Namachivayam, Member of Parliament Selvaraj, and Collector Akash flagged off the service. The ship departed Nagapattinam at 12:20 PM with 44 passengers on board and reached Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka by the evening.

Minister Namachivayam stated, “Under the Central Government’s Sagarmala scheme, Prime Minister Modi has planned to streamline transportation. His vision is for all modes of transport—land, air, and sea—to function efficiently. As this service expands, it will strengthen the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, especially as trade and commerce between the two countries grow.”