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| Wednesday, 3 September 2003 |
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by Manjula Fernando The Indian and Sri Lankan governments are now considering Cochin as the new destination, in place of Tuticorin, for the proposed ferry service between the two countries. Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge told reporters yesterday that the Indian High Commissioner Nirupam Sen expressed confidence recently that the Central government would agree to start the ferry service from the port of Cochin, in Kerala, to Colombo as proposed by the local authorities. Minister Lokuge was speaking at a special press conference held at the Information Department yesterday. The countries decided to look for a new destination in view of the last minute protest made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister against the proposed service from Tuticorin. The agreements for this service were to be signed mid last month but the Indian shipping minister's visit to Sri Lanka for this purpose was suddenly postponed due to this dispute. The one-way sailing time for Cochin and Tuticorin are seven hours and five hours respectively. According to the Port Development and Shipping Ministry, already 10 ferry service providers including two state companies, the State Shipping Corporation and the CWE has expressed interest in starting their own services between this stretch. The service is expected to be of great benefit to the small scale import export traders and pilgrims, with tickets generally expected to cost much less than the air ticket to the same destination. Freight rates will also be much lower. India is now one of Sri Lanka's biggest tourism markets, especially after the relaxation of via rules by Sri Lankan immigration authorities. The ferry service is expected to augment this trend. The ferry will also benefit Sri Lankan leisure travellers and businessmen travelling to Kerala, a region which is very similar geographically, culturally and linguistically to Sri Lanka. In addition to the ethnic traffic of both countries, transit travellers and tourists from other countries opting for a more leisurely mode of travel are likely to use the ferry service. |
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