#India, #SriLanka, #IndiaSriLankaFerryService, #NarendraModi, #Kankesanthurai, #Nagappatinam
IBNS: In line with the announcement made by the leaders of the two countries in July 2023 during the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India, the ferry service between Nagappatinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka commenced on Saturday (October 14, 2023).
Speaking at the launch event virtually, Indian PM Narendra Modi said: “India and Sri Lanka are embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is an important milestone in strengthening the relations.”
The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 when direct flights between Delhi and Colombo were launched. Later, the Prime Minister added, the landing of the first international flight in the pilgrim town of Kushinagar from Sri Lanka was also celebrated.
He also informed that direct flights between Chennai and Jaffna began in 2019, and now the ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is yet another important step in this direction.
“Our vision for connectivity goes beyond the transport sector,” the Prime Minister emphasized as he underlined that India and Sri Lanka collaborate closely in a wide range of areas such as fin-tech and energy.
Noting that digital payments have become a mass movement and a way of life in India due to UPI, Modi informed that both governments are working on fin-tech sector connectivity by linking UPI and Lanka Pay.
He also touched upon connecting the energy grids between the two nations to enhance energy security and reliability as energy security is crucial for the development journey of both India and Sri Lanka.
