Ferry services between the Colombo harbour and the Indian port of Tuticorin are set to start next week. The ferry with a capacity of 500 passengers run by a private Indian operator, is scheduled to sail from India on February 28.

According to reports, a big warehouse at Tuticorin port has been converted into a passenger terminal and passenger seating, baggage scanning and immigration counter facilities have been installed in this terminal.

Initially there will be two voyages a week and will be increased to three voyages subsequently.

It is proposed to start the passenger ferry service initially between Tuticorin and Colombo and subsequently extend to other destinations, namely between Rameswaram and Thalaimannar.

The distance between Colombo and Tuticorin is about 152 nautical miles and the duration of the journey will be about 10 to 12 hours.