A new ferry service is poised to transform travel between Sri Lanka and India, offering a scenic link that bridges cultures and connects communities across the sea.
The passenger ferry between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka is the first transit service since the Indo-Ceylon Express ceased services in the 1980s during the civil war.
This eagerly anticipated service strengthens ties between the two nations, reviving a route that had been dormant as air travel took precedence. With India being one of Sri Lanka’s largest sources of tourism, the ferry is set to boost visitor numbers and cultural exchanges.
The service is expected to have a positive impact on trade, religious tourism and commerce in coastal regions. And its affordability is likely to attract budget travellers from Tamil Nadu and beyond, enabling them to explore significant worship sites in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka.
In addition to religious devotees, business travellers eager to expand their operations between the two countries are also expected to utilise the ferry service.
To improve affordability, both countries have introduced financial assistance and reduced levies. Although originally launched in 2023, the service faced delays due to monsoon conditions and technical delays, and resumed operations in August 2024.