Sri Lanka to restore ferry service

The Sri Lankan Government says it hopes to sign an agreement early next month with India to restore ferry services between the two countries.

The services have been suspended since the outbreak of the civil war in Sri Lanka nearly 20 years ago.

The Sri Lankan Shipping Ministry says that once the agreement is signed, ships will make three sailings a week between Colombo and Tuticorin, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, taking six to seven hours for the voyage.

Correspondents say Sri Lanka is hoping that the new service will lead to an increase in the number of Indian tourists, as well as benefiting business travellers and pilgrims.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service