News
With Friday’s resumption of ferry service to Lanka, Indian railways urged to operate more trains from Nagapattinam
With passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka scheduled to resume on August 16, trade bodies and rail users’ association in the Indian port town have reiterated their demand for introduction of more trains either from Karaikal or Velankanni to various destinations within the State for the benefit of local and overseas tourists, The Hindu reported yesterday.
The report filed from Tirushi said: Rail services to key southern districts in the State and Bengaluru either from Karaikal or Velankanni via Nagapattinam was required as it would prove beneficial not only for locals but also for overseas travellers who arrive by the ferry, they say.
At present, there are only two daily express trains being operated via Nagapattinam — one from Karaikal to Ernakulam and the other from Karaikal to Chennai. There is a bi-weekly service from Velankanni to Ernakulam and a weekly service from Velankanni to Vasco Da Gama and one from Karaikal to Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.
The existing rail services are inadequate given the tremendous movement of tourists to Velankanni, Nagore and Tirunallar, said S. Mohan, president, Nagore Nagapattinam Rail Users Association.
An overnight express train to Bengaluru from Velankanni or Karaikal, a day-time train to Tambaram from Velankanni, extension of the Punalur-Madurai train to Karaikal and a train to Coimbatore via Palani and Pollachi from Karaikal was needed which would fetch revenue to the railways. In view of the resumption of the ferry services, these demands should be seriously considered and more services introduced, Mohan said.
In the absence of proper train facilities, passengers have no other option but to travel by buses to southern and western destinations in the State. Infrastructure in and around Nagapattinam Port should be developed in view of the resumption of the ferry service and more trains either from Velankanni or Karaikal should be introduced, said R. Subash Chandran, president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nagapattinam.
Trains to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram covering the key southern districts could be seriously considered by the railway administration as this would help the local people as well as those arriving from Kankesanthurai, Subash Chandran added.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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