There are many places in our country that attract tourists. Among them are archaeological sites like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and beaches like Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa. But because there are no new sustainable tourist destinations, a tourist who has visited once or twice will not be motivated to come again. So what we need to do is to establish new travel zones and sustainable tourism destinations.
In this regard, efforts have been made to create new tourist zones in the Western Province, especially the creation of sustainable tourist destinations under the leadership of the Western Province Tourism Board. Sugath Hewapathirana, Chairman of the Western Province Tourism Board, told the Sunday Observer that the aim is to make Seethawaka a sustainable tourist area.
“We have already introduced the Western Province of Sri Lanka Tourism Program to Japan, India, Italy, Brazil, China etc. Until now, we have used archaeological sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to develop the tourism industry. But we have to work together with the modern world. For that, we must focus on new sustainable tourism destinations. So far we have only introduced Sigiriya as a sustainable tourist destination. Therefore, new tourist zones or places that attract tourists should be created. Therefore, various measures have been taken to create new tourism attractions in the Western Province. This is why we have introduced the tourist town of Seethawaka under the Paradise in a Paradise theme.”
Tourism industry
The chairman said that in 1991, India suffered a major economic collapse and today India has managed to become the 4th largest economy in the world by using the tourism industry. “Especially States like Tamil Nadu, Assam and Maharashtra have worked to develop the tourism industry and we should also follow suit to develop the tourism industry in each Province. In the vicinity of Seethawaka, located in the centre of Avissawella, there are mountains, water sources, and waterfalls. Especially the water sources of Labugama and Kalatuwawa are located in a sensitive wetland area. Areas like Ambatale are supplied with water from the Kelani River, but Labugama and Kalatuwawa are sensitive wetlands that have water sources with rainwater. We have to promote this area as a tourist area, especially with the nice weather. In the morning, in areas like Labugama and Kalatuwawa we can see a weather pattern similar to that seen in Haputale and Bandarawela. The evening is the same.”
Various types of tourists come to the island. Some people visit places of worship, others enjoy themselves, others see beauty, others visit hundreds of thousands of years old places, and others study nature as environmentalists. Here, while introducing sensitive wetlands and ecological sites, we must pay attention to their protection. That is the first challenge.”
“Coordination has already started with all parties including the people of the respective areas, environmentalists, religious leaders, public representatives, various Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations. We cannot do this without community support to protect those places. In particular, the University of Colombo has been associated with this to do all the technical work. Although not related to the promotion of Seethawaka’s tourism industry, another point should be pointed out that diesel powered boats are currently being used to see the beauty of the Negombo lagoon and its surroundings. Therefore, there is a great danger to marine life through those boats. To avoid that situation, Japan JICA has provided five electric boats. As such, it is imperative to develop Seethawaka as a tourist zone that protects the environment.’’
Seethawaka Odyssey
With the start of the Seethawaka Odyssey train, a tourist area of Seethawaka was opened for local tourists and now the tourist area is being developed for foreigners. Recently, arrangements were made to take the tourists there and give them an understanding of this tourist area. The first International Wetlands Association Australia, New Zealand and Asia link conference was held and this group of tourists travelled on the Seethawaka Odyssey train. They went to the Seethawaka Botanical Garden which is billed as an eco-friendly tourism site. Also, the environment around Kitulkanda, which is not far from Hanwella, was also among the places that impressed them.
This tourist area was declared open by Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. The Minister unveiled the commemorative plaque at the Seethawaka Botanical Gardens. Accordingly, the Seethawaka Wet Zone became the second Sustainable Tourism Zone in Sri Lanka. Addressing the gathering, Minister Dr. Gunawardena said: “It is a highly biodiverse and also an ecologically, historically, and geographically very special landscape. The city of Seethawaka has a very special place as a tourist attraction. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is also very keen on this idea. His brother and former Speaker Geethanjana Gunawardena too wanted it done. Gamini Lokuge, a former Minister of Tourism, has also made plans for this.”
The Minister said he was keen as the Minister of Transport to popularize this region among foreign and domestic tourists. The launch of the Seethawaka Odyssey tourist train was another milestone. As a result, the growth of foreign tourist arrivals will have a significant impact on the local economy. “To overcome the economic crisis that the country is facing, it is essential to identify such tourist areas and attract more tourists. The aim of such activities is to make Sri Lanka the most environmentally friendly tourist attraction in the world. The economy of the region as well as the economy of the country improves through the increase of domestic and foreign tourists. In the future, special tourist villages like Ella and Hikkaduwa will be created. The city of Seethawaka is also joining this initiative. In the future, we expect to start more such tourist zones in the country.” These projects are organized jointly by the Western Province Tourism Board and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) under the guidance of Urban Development Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.
More than a hundred tourists and many domestic travellers joined this occasion. Chairman of Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Rear Admiral Hiran Balasuriya, Additional General Manager (Operations) of Railway Department. V.S. Polwattage participated in this ceremony at Avissawella.
