Passenger ferry service between India and Mannar to be resumed soon – President says.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that discussions are planned with the Indian government regarding the passenger ferry service between Mannar in Sri Lanka and Rameshwaram in India.

The President, who arrived in the Mannar area, said that attention has also been focused on expediting the passenger ferry service.

In November last year, it was reported that passenger ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar would be restored soon.

Ferry services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar operated from 1914 to 1964, when they were suspended after a cyclone hit Dhanushkodi.

The service was resumed from 1969 to 1984, but was again suspended due to security concerns arising from the war in the country.

In response, the Indian government suspended ferry operations in 1984, and the ferry service has not operated for the past 42 years.