Country’s first boatyard in Beruwala

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

“Sri Lanka's first boatyard will be set up in Beruwala and it will manufacture vessels for the fisheries industry. Vessel training and repairs will be provided through this boatyard which will be a great solution to the unemployment problem in Beruwala, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Minister Senaratne said so during an inspection tour in the Beruwala Tourist Zone. Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena also participated. They inspected the development activities in the zone.

“Measures are in place to develop the Beruwala city as a Tourist Zone and the government will provide all facilities to make this project a success, Minister Senaratne said.

“Sri Lanka’s Tourism Zones began from Beruwala. But it was not recognised as a Tourist Zone until it was gazetted. At present, it is recognised as a Tourist Zone. Therefore, the government will provide luxury facilities which would help develop the tourism industry in Beruwala,” the minister added.

“We have held several discussions on development programmes in the Beruwala Tourist Zone with hotels owners, tour guides and Municipal Council and Pradeshiya Sabha officials. Accordingly, we made arrangements to provide funds to develop infrastructure facilities in this zone through the Economic Development Ministry,” Deputy Minister Abeywardena said.

Minister Senaratne added that the Beruwala fisheries harbour will be developed as a tourism harbour where an aquarium, a museum, an exhibition centre, a training centre and a shopping mall will be set up. Measures are in place to develop the Beruwala city as a trade centre as well, he said.