Indo Lanka ferry service flagged off

The ferry service between India and Sri Lanka resumed operations yesterday with the maiden vessel scheduled to arrive in Colombo today.

India’s Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan flagged off the vessel Scotia Prince service at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin on Monday.

The service initially sailing twice-a-week between Colombo and Tuticorin and vice versa. The Colombo-bound vessel will depart from Tuticorin on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m. and arrive in Colombo at 8 a.m. the next day. The vessel from Colombo to Tuticorin will sail on Wednesdays and Sundays at the same timings.

The journey is expected to last 14 hours each way.

The vessel ‘Scotia Prince,’ has nine decks with the capacity to accommodate 1,200 passengers.

It has 11 first class cabins, two suites, two cabins for travellers with special needs, 169 super deluxe cabins, 22 deluxe cabins and 111 economy cabins.

Besides, the vessel has a 250-seat Broadway Lounge to host corporate gatherings, banquets and special occasions with multiple options for entertainment, a drive-in-drive-out facility for cars and cargo vehicles and a duty-free shop.

The vessel will have over 40 crew members on board and around 25 ground staff to help with check-in procedures, immigration, customs procedures and baggage clearance.

The fare has been fixed as follows: first-class cabin with four rooms - Rs. 19,550 from Tuticorin and Rs. 20,470 from Colombo; first-class cabin with two rooms — Rs. 13,800 from Tuticorin and Rs. 14,720 from Colombo; super deluxe cabin (four rooms) - Rs.14, 260 and Rs. 14, 720 (from Colombo). Cabin (two rooms) - Rs. 7,360 and Rs. 7,590; single berth - Rs. 3,450 and Rs. 3,680; deluxe cabin (four rooms) - Rs. 13,800 and Rs. 14, 260; special needs cabin (with four rooms) - Rs.11,960 and Rs.14,260; for single berth - Rs. 2,990 and Rs.3,128.

Economy class: cabin with rooms Rs.11,960 and Rs.12,420; cabin with two rooms - Rs. 5, 980 and Rs. 6, 210; and for single berth - Rs. 2,990 and Rs. 3,128.

Passengers should check in at the terminal four hours prior to departure. Two bags per person are allowed on the vessel.

The ferry was a very popular alternative to air travel between Sri Lanka and India before terrorism broke out in the North.