Boat and Leisure Services at Major Sri Lankan Reservoirs Attract 30 Proposals

01st December 2010, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Thirty parties have responded to a call for proposals to operate boat and leisure services at major reservoirs in Sri Lanka, irrigation minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. An official said all the proposals appeared to be from local parties.

The government asked for proposals from private parties to operate boat services and restaurants at irrigation works connected to Sri Lanka's Mahaweli river development project.

The operators would be subjected to 30 conditions including environmental regulations and boats have to be powered by engines smaller than 15 horsepower.

Proposals were called to operate boat services and restaurants at newly built Kotmale, Polgolla, Victoria, Randenigala, Ulhitiya, Maduru Oya, Bowatenne and the Udawalawe reservoirs.

In addition Kandalama, Kala, Chandrika, and Iranmadu reservoirs which are so-called 'tanks' dating back from Sri Lanka's ancient irrigation related settlements were also opened for leisure activities.

Kandalama already has an up-market hotel operated by Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence group.

Several of reservoirs which are also used for power generation are located in picturesque hilly areas and were under tight security, with restricted public access, during a 30-year separatist war which ended last May.

The Iranamadu tank shot fame in the last stages of the war as being the place where expat Tamil Tiger separatists landed by seaplane after arriving from the Maldives.

Once the proposals are accepted the government was planning to kick off the services in January starting with the Victoria and Polgolla reservoirs in the Kandy district, an official said.

Boat Service for Commuter Transport Started in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 45 Minute Journey Shortened to 12

March 2010, www.navy.lk

With a view to provide a hassle-free, environment-friendly mode of transport and to ease the congestion in road traffic, Sri Lanka Navy has launched a canal boat service between Wellawatte and Nawala.

The measure comes into effect in accordance with the concept of His Excellency the President in using Greater Colombo canals for water transport and recreation. Deputy Area Commander of the Western Naval Command Commodore S Jayakody and the Registrar of the Open University attended the inaugural ceremony held today (15th March 2010) with the participation of university students and well wishers.

The boat service operates along the Wellawatte-Kirulapona canal between St. Peter’s College in Wellawatte and the Open University in Nawala. The canal way for the purpose was cleaned and made ready by the Sri Lanka Navy with the assistance of the Land Reclamation Board, Central Environmental Authority and the respective Municipal Councils.

Four (04) boats with safety-equipment have been deployed between 7.45 to 9.00 in the morning and 4.00 to 6.00 in the evening daily. As the initial step, they transport the students and the staff of the Open University free of charge assisting them to attend to their academic activities on time.

Measures are under way under the direction of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe to expand the canal boat service for the convenience of the General Public. Necessary infrastructure is being developed to expedite the process in collaboration with relevant Government officials and institutions.