TUTICORIN (TN): Meeting a long-pending demand of people, passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka was launched on Monday from this port town with the sea link expected to give a fillip to tourism and trade between the two neighbours.Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan flagged off the first voyage of Colombo-bound MV Scotia Prince, a luxury liner, from the V O Chidambaranar Port here.He said the ferry service would give a filip to tourism, trade and commerce and strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.Vasan said the Cabinet clearance had been given for starting ferry service between Rameswaram and Thalaimannar in northern Sri Lanka.The ship would take 12-14 hours to reach Colombo, 152 nautical miles from here. The ticket prices range from Rs 2,243 per single person in economy class to Rs 14,663 (three persons) in first class cabin, the ship's agents said.Ferry services between Tuticorin and Colombo existed since 1832. Legendary freedom fighter V O Chidambaranar started the first Swadeshi Passenger Shipping Service in 1907 by launching 'mv.Galilio' and 'mv.Lavo' and sowed the seeds of freedom struggle in Tuticorin.During the British rule, the passenger service was stopped.People of Tuticorin and Sri Lanka had been pressing for resumption of the ferry service for a long time.The decision to introduce the ferry service was taken during the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to India in June 2010.Subsequently, following detailed discussions between officials of the two countries, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two governments in October 2010 for launching the service.
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