House boats to boost acqua-tourism

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Fisheries and Aquatic resources Development Ministry will promote acqua-tourism in the country by introducing house boats throughout the island to attract tourists.

The house boats will offer safe and secure house boat rides to visitors through the water ways of the country to experience scenic beauty.

A house boat consists of two cabins, a hall, an attached bathroom and a toilet with traditional hay shelter as its roof for the comfort of the users, Fisheries Ministry sources said.

The Ceynor Foundation Limited is in the process of manufacturing these boats, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Fisheries Ministry sources said they will launch the house boat service to offer comfortable boat rides to tourists through the water ways of Sri Lanka in a bid to complement the country's booming tourist industry . Boat manufacturers said the boats could be easily driven on rivers, lagoons, canals and other waterways and the visitors can use them for days all by themselves.

A house boat is 36 feet in length and 18 feet in width.

The boat house is made with carbon- fibre.

Minister Senaratne said the Ministry will co-ordinate with the Ceynor Foundation to introduce versatile boat designs with modern equipment and technology.