Mahaweli gets tourist zones

Nadira Gunatilleke

All Mahaweli reservoirs and suburb areas will be named as tourism zones and is to be developed as tourist destinations with all facilities, a Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman Irrigation and Water Resources Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has taken a decision to develop the Mahaweli region as a place of tourist attraction. Under this project all Mahaweli reservoirs will be developed. Boat riding facilities will be made available for tourists in Victoria, Randenigala, Ulhitiya, Maduru Oya, Bowathenna, Udawalawa, Iranamadu, Kandalama and Chandrika wewa reservoirs.

Holiday resorts will be constructed in the region to promote tourism. Tenders have already been called from the private sector to commence services for tourists.

Mahaweli Authority has already been introduced 30 guidelines for private sector investors who wish to invest in the project. Ensuring safety of tourists, not creating environmental problems, implementing reasonable charges and not interfering with reservoir administration are some of them, he said.

Boats with less than 15 horse power will be allowed according to the same guide lines.

The project will commence in January from Polgolla and Victoria reservoirs.

Many investors in the tourism industry have already expressed their willingness to invest in this project, he added.