Ferry service from Sri Lanka to India likely to start soon

If things go as planned, there will soon be a ferry service from Sri Lanka to India. In a move to attract more tourists from India, the Sri Lankan government is launching an ambitious tourism promotion programme. Recently, Sri Lanka Tourism Minister John Amaratunga presented a Ramayana Tourism Circuit at the Sri Lanka Tourism Roadshow, which was organised by Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI).
The minister also stated that a ferry service is on the cards, which will likely be launched from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. Reportedly, this step will help in boosting the Ramayana Tourism Circuit. The minister also stated in a FICCI press release that the Tamil Nadu government has also given a green signal for this.
He also mentioned that the ferry service is expected to start by the year-end after all the procedures are completed with the Indian government. Amaratunga further mentioned that Sri Lanka is trying to woo more tourists from South India. Also, from this month, travellers from India visiting Sri Lanka would be provided free visas. Not just this, with effect from August 1, tourists will also be offered a 50 per cent discount on hotel packages this season.
Airports’ ground-handling charges have been significantly reduced. The minister was quoted saying that Sri Lanka currently offers the highest number of concessions for its guests and registers a record number of tourists from India to visit the country. Free visa programmes and other amenities have also been announced to encourage Indian tourists to visit the island nation..