India’s Reliance Air is expected to operate seven weekly flights to Sri Lanka from India, which includes a daily flight to the Jaffna International Airport, The Daily Morning Business learns.
This news comes in addition to the ferry service to be established between India and Sri Lanka.
The move follows numerous requests the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has been receiving from the Sri Lankan diaspora pertaining to investments in the Northern region.
Speaking in this regard, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando said: “Reliance (Air) will be operating seven flights in a week; at present, they are operating only four flights. They will be having a daily flight coming into Jaffna. And the number of tourists from India has been increasing, and with the ferry service, it will increase further.”
According to the Ports Authority, it has been 12 years since Sri Lanka received the initial proposal for the Indo-Sri Lanka ferry service. The Indian and Sri Lankan Governments held discussions regarding commencing the ferry service following the war and despite the best efforts, the Ports Authority was unable to make it happen.
Last year, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva resumed discussions in this regard with the Indian High Commissioner following which they identified the advancements and enhancements that have to be made at Sri Lanka’s end. The improvement of Kankesanthurai (KKS) Harbour’s infrastructure was recommended during the discussions as it had deteriorated due to the effects of the conflict where the Ports Authority had constructed a passenger terminal with a cost of Rs. 450 million.
However, India has recently demonstrated their willingness to run the ferry services from the Nagapattinam port to the KKS port. A ferry operator has contacted the Ports Authority three days ago.
From a commercial perspective there will be more trade taking place between the countries apart from tourism, it was highlighted. Moreover, there are reportedly a number of inquiries coming in from the diaspora for investment in Jaffna. The SLTDA has acquired land in Delf Island, which will also be available for investment, Fernando explained.
The ferry service will have the capability of ferrying approximately 300 passengers, which accounts to nearly four times the number of passengers on a flight to Jaffna. There would be two weekly ferry runs from India to Jaffna if the ferry service is launched.
