Thiruvananthapuram, May 7 (IANS): Cruise ship service between Kerala and Sri Lanka is likely to begin soon, said a Sri Lankan minister.

Sri Lankan Minister Gamini J. Perera told reporters here on Thursday that the first round of discussions was held last month when a Kerala delegation came to Sri Lanka.

"In a month's time, we expect to finalise all the details of operating cruise ships between Kerala and Sri Lanka..." said Perera.

The journey is expected to be completed in about 16 hours.

Perera called on Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and extended an invitation to him to visit the island country.

Later, he met Kerala Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Anup Jacob and discussed areas of cooperation between their departments.

"Kerala has done well in maintaining an effective public distribution system and has also done well in food processing and food protection. We wish to send people from our country to learn from Kerala about this," added Perera.

Jacob said that Kerala would be glad to receive students and teachers from Sri Lanka and teach them the advances made in food processing and protection.