The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna, Sri Lanka, is currently running smoothly, according to S. Niranjan Nandagopan, Managing Director of IndSri Ferry Service Pvt. Ltd.
The ferry operates four days a week, reaching full capacity. The passenger vessel, Sivagangai, resumed operations in October 2023 and relaunched on August 16, 2024, after a brief pause.
Both Indian and Sri Lankan tourists benefit from visas on arrival in each country, with ferry tickets available for online booking. To make the service more affordable, the Indian government is providing over LKR 25 million per month for one year to cover operating costs at Nagapattinam port. Additionally, the Sri Lankan government has reduced the departure tax for passengers leaving by ferry.
Plans are underway to explore additional routes and services to further enhance connectivity and economic collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.