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| Saturday, 13 December 2003 |
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AASL ecotourism project to take off next year by Tharika Goonathilake Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) is exploring the possibility of making available AASL's new standby infrastructure facilities for a novel ecotourism promotional venture. Ecotourism promotional activities on the lines of a one hour cruise is being planned, utilising equipment including boats that are to be brought-down as part of an Emergency Rescue Operation site that is being developed by AASL at Katunayake. The site which is being contracted under a Rs 25 million project envisages the establishment of a pier, rescue operation equipment, buildings, boats and other facilities in keeping with the recommendations made by the International Civil Aviation Organisations. However, the stand-by equipment and facilities hav been cited as being ideal for promoting ecotourism activities given the area's scenic waterways that connect with Muthurajawela marsh and greater Negombo lagoon. "The rescue operation site will be utilised only in the unlikely event of an aircraft ditching into the water during take-off. Otherwise the facility will be lying idle," says AASL Chairman Hemasiri Fernando. "Cruise tours are possible given the infrastructure that will be available in terms of high quality boats as well as manpower. This coupled with the area's rich flora and fauna offers an ideal ecotourism based tour operations in these scenic environs." Fernando, a former tourism industry stalwart says that logistics for the boat operation are still being worked out given the need for an ecologically sound project in keeping to environmental requirements and ecotourism principles. "Our aim is to open up the facility within the next six months with provisions being made for foreign and local tour operators to make reservation with AASSL," Fernando affirmed. The area earmarked under the project extends to the Negombo lagoon and sea from one side and connects to the Muthurajawela lagoon on the other side. Emergency rescue operation sites of this nature are common in many countries including Hongkong and Singapore. This site is a standby operation procedure which will be needed only in case of an emergency which is very remote. However, the project provides an opening to make a return on the investment as well as offering a chance at tourism promotion, he says. |
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