SL Navy Shifts Whale Watching Expeditions to Eastern Seas from Southern as Migration Starts with the Monsoon

06th June 2011, www.news360., By Prasanna C Rodrigo

Starting from this month Sri Lanka Navy will shift its Whale watching expeditions from Southern seas to the once troubled Eastern seas of the country.

SLN says the shifting comes as the Whales who appeared in the Southern seas during the November to February period have now started to appear in the Eastern Sea.

Commodore N. Artigala of Sri Lanka Navy said, Whales start migrating from one area to another when the Monsoon season begins, which is now experienced in the South of the country.

According to Artigala the Whales can be now seen in the Mullative seas and also in the seas closer to the Trincomalee Harbour.

He said “If you’re lucky you can see them in the vicinity of the port”.

However, the Commodore added, unlike in the Southern seas where sometimes groups numbering to 20 to 25 Whales can be seen, in the Eastern seas only few Whales can be seen at a time.

“Alfa 543” a ship which transported soldiers from Trincomalee to Jaffna and vice versa during the war time will conduct the “Whale Watching Expeditions” in the Eastern Sea.

The first expedition of the “Alfa 543” which will operate from the Trincomalee port is scheduled for today.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka is the Best Place in the World for Seeing and Photographing Blue Whales. Migratory Whales Passing Southern Seas of Sri Lanka Confirmed

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.