According to the instructions given by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, the preliminary discussions have already started in Colombo.

Diplomatic level discussions have been held in this regard with the State Government of Tamil Nadu.

Discussions have focused on whether this ferry service will use the route from the old Ramayana or the route that Sanghamitta Theraniya came to this country.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva earlier last month arrangements have been made to start a passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka from this month.

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay appreciated the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) for deciding to recommence ferry services between Sri Lanka and India in order to boost tourist arrivals between both countries.

He also stressed the fact that when promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination to Indian travelers, to not underestimate religious tourism, assuming it is only for the elderly or middle-aged.

Highlighting the civilizational and historical ties between the two nations, Baglay said that two-way tourism is also “the best way” to promote Sri Lanka, as India is undergoing a transformation with the “Digital India” initiative.