A delegation led by Mr. 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 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on passenger transportation by sea between the two countries. The Sri Lanka delegation was led by Mr. K.V.P. Ranjith de Silva, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Aviation. The two sides were meeting consequent to the decision contained in the Joint Declaration issued on 9 June 2010, following the talks between H. E. the President of Sri Lanka and H. E. the Prime Minister of India, on the need to speedily restore the traditional links between the two countries and to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameshwaram. The two sides agreed on the text of the MoU for passenger transportation by sea between the two countries and initialed the text of the MoU. The MoU would be signed by the two countries after the necessary internal processes are completed, following which ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and Talaimannar and Rameswaram can be put in place.