Pathfinder promotes tourism & connectivity in South India – January 2024
Events
Pathfinder Foundation (PF) is actively pursuing initiatives to enhance ties between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, focusing on tourism and connectivity. During a visit to Chennai, PF Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke met with Thiru K. Ramachandran, Minister for Tourism, Tamil Nadu, and Dr. K. Manivasan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the government.
Goonetilleke discussed plans to reestablish the Rameswaram-Talaimannar ferry link to facilitate passenger and cargo movement between the two countries. The proposed ferry service, to be operated by Pathfinder Shipping in collaboration with Indian and Norwegian partners, aims to revive a historic route that ceased operations in the mid-1980s due to security concerns.
Minister Ramachandran welcomed the initiative, recalling the ferry's historical significance in facilitating tourism and pilgrimage between India and Sri Lanka. He expressed support for the recommencement of the service, acknowledging its potential to boost cultural exchanges and tourism.
Goonetilleke highlighted the ferry's potential to facilitate visits to South Indian Buddhist sites for Sri Lankan pilgrims and the extension of the Ramayana and Murugan trails covering destinations in Sri Lanka, fostering religious and cultural ties between the two countries. The delegation's visit aligned with PF's broader efforts to promote Indo-Lanka collaboration, as outlined in its recent report on economic transformation released in New Delhi in August 2023.
During their visit, the PF delegation met with N. Ram, former managing director of The Hindu Publishing Group, to explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations and promote tourism.
The delegation, comprising PF executives and industry experts, aims to foster closer ties and explore mutually beneficial initiatives between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
