COLOMBO, Sept. 18 -- The Government of India has extended its financial assistance for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in northern Sri Lanka for another year, marking the third consecutive year of Indian support since the service resumed in August 2024.

The extension is intended to strengthen maritime connectivity between India and Sri Lanka and promote greater people-to-people, cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries.

The assistance is being provided through India's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, amounting to nearly LKR 300 million annually, and will help cover key logistical and operational costs to maintain the affordability and sustainability of the service....