The Jetwing whale and dolphin centre

Whale watching in Mirissa has emerged as one of the biggest and most positive stories for Sri Lanka's growing tourism industry in recent years, thanks to the efforts of Jetwing. Jetwing Lighthouse has been the home of whale watching for over four years and played a pivotal role in researching, promoting and branding the product to the world since its inception in May 2008. Resident naturalist Anoma Alagiyawadu and Senaka Weerasuriya, a PADI certified diving instructor who was certified in Australia and has vast diving experience at places such as the Great Barrier Reef and a lover of marine wildlife as well as a recent addition to Jetwing Lighthouse, have teamed up to create the Jetwing Whale and Dolphin Center. Anoma is now nearing his 500th excursion to sea, an event not to be missed.

The Center is the first of its kind in the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka, and aims to educate and create awareness of these magnificent creatures. At present, 28 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) have been recorded in Sri Lankan waters and sightings from Mirissa alone include Brydes Whale, Humpack Whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Orca, Striped Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, Pantropical Spotted Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin.

However, very little is still understood about their behaviour or why they are seen in these waters. According to Anoma, this is "the first purpose built information and research center in Sri Lanka, and is not centered only for people but to act as a conservation project to increase our knowledge and raise awareness about these gentle giants of the sea.

From October to April, over 3000 people travel to the South solely for watching Blue Whales. As a result, it is the perfect chance for the public to learn more, and do more to preserve this event."

"At present, we will conduct continuous educational programmes in schools, harbor/beach cleanups, as well as enlist the support of the local community. Eventually, we hope to create a network all over Sri Lanka which is contributed to by the public, especially coming in handy when attempting to rescue beached whales", Senaka added.

A platinum sponsor of the Galle Literary Festival since its inception, the Celebrity Whale Watch has been an extraordinarily popular event with passes selling out almost instantly. This year they had aboard Philip Hoare, renowned author of The Leviathan. Another celebrity Whale Watch along with a talk on whale watching has been organized for the coming 2012 Festival.

The Jetwing Whale and Dolphin Center will officially be opened in January, during the Galle Literary Festival.