Eco-friendly boat service in Mahaweli reservoirs

The Mahaweli Authority will commence an eco-friendly boat service in all twelve Mahaweli reservoirs by the end of this month, Mahaweli Authority Business Development Director A Munasinghe told the Daily News yesterday.

This initiative is taken to promote eco-tourism among local and foreign tourists.

He said that the boat service has already commenced in Kandy.

This step is taken considering the increasing tourist influx to the country after the dawn of peace.

"Some of these reservoirs were not accessible during the past due to terrorist activities.

These restrictions are now lifted. Therefore private companies and individuals are granted permission to operate boat services in Mahaweli reservoirs," he said.

However boat services can only be operated by those who have obtained a valid licence from the Mahaweli Authority. Licences are issued under several conditions.

According to the conditions the company or individual should procure an insurance for the boat and its passengers, the charges of the boat service should be fair and the boat service can only be operated from 6 am to 6 pm, he explained.

Munasinghe also said that the Authority has signed agreements with SriLankan Airlines to commence a sea plane service. Sea planes are operating in Victoria, Polgolla and Dambulu Oya reservoirs at present. The boat service will not operate when sea planes land and take off, he said.

He added that a 100 metre zone near the dams and power houses is prohibited for operating both sea plane and boat services.

The boat service will be launched in Mahaweli reservoirs at Kotmale, Victoria, Randenigala, Polgolla, Bowatenna, Kala Wewa, Dambulu Oya, Kandalama, Maduru Oya, Udawalawa, Chandrika Wewa and Ulhitiya.