India and Sri Lanka have initialed the text for a Memorandum of Understanding to start passenger transportation by sea between the two countries. The MoU between the two countries would be after the necessary internal processes are completed, following which ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and Talaimannar and Rameswaram can be put in place. A press statement by the Indian High Commission in Colombo statedthat delegation led by K. Mohandas, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping,Government of India visited Sri Lanka from 14-15 October to hold discussions with the Ministry of Ports and Aviation of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on the on passenger ransportation by sea between the two countries. The two sides were meeting consequent to the decision contained inthe Joint Declaration issued on 9 June 2010, following the talks between the President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India, on the need to peedily restore the traditional links between the two countries and to resume the ferry services between Colombo andTuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameshwaram.