Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether the two sea routes proposed to be established between Tamil Nadu in India and Sri Lanka to boost trade and tourism have been opened;

(b) if not, the reasons for delay in establishing these sea routes; and

(c) the new date for opening these routes?

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

(a) to (c) A Memorandum of Understanding 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.

The Tuticorin-Colombo ferry services commenced on 13th June, 2011. The services, however, have been temporarily suspended due to technical reasons from 18th November 2011.

The ferry services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar are expected to start once the requisite infrastructure facilities are in place at both the ports.
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