Colombo, Oct 4 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka will recall expressions of interest to set up a ferry service between the Colombo port and Tuticorin, in Southern India, Cabinet Spokesperson Gayantha Karunathilake said here Wednesday.
Sri Lanka had called for expressions of interests to implement the Indo-Lanka ferry service earlier, but there had been insufficient interest.
“Hence, the proposal made by Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe to cancel the current procurement process and to recall expressions of interest, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers,” Karunathilake said.
Uptil June 2011, the Tuticorin-Colombo passenger ferry service operated in Sri Lanka. However it did not continue.
In 2015 India said it was prepared to resume the operation of the ferry service and it was up to the Sri Lankan Government to take a final decision in this connection.
The British began the first ferry service between Sri Lanka and India in 1914. The route was patronised by both Indian and Lankan traders and tourists.