Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Tuticorin-Colombo ferry service has been resumed;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalithaa has urged the centre to suspend the resumed ferry service saying her Government was not consulted on the move; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and Government’s reaction thereto?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) Yes, the Tuticorin-Colombo ferry services commenced on 13th June, 2011.

(b) During the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India from 8-11 June 2010, both India and Sri Lanka, recognising the need to speedily restore the traditional links between the two countries, agreed to resume the ferry services between Tuticorin and Colombo and between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. Pursuant to this decision, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Sri Lanka on 7th January 2011, to commence passenger services between the ports of Tuticorin and Colombo and between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. Concurrence for signing the MoU from all concerned Departments and Agencies and the Government of Tamil Nadu was obtained. The ferry services between Tuticorin-Colombo are expected to mutually benefit the economic, social and cultural advancement of the two countries and further strengthen tourism and people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka, especially between the southern part of India and the northern part of Sri Lanka.

(c) & (d) Yes, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on 14th June 2011 requesting, inter alia, the suspension of ferry services between Tuticorin and Colombo.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220118030.

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