New boats for whale watching

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Whale watching tourism is gathering momentum in Sri Lanka’s southern coastal areas.

While a number of private sector companies are engaged in the business, the State also ventured in it last month for the first time launching a vessel of Sri Lanka Navy for whale watching.

The Navy last month deployed a luxury vessel with facilities for 350 passengers from the Galle Navy camp.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries Harbour Corporation has also made arrangements to deploy from April a special vessel, which could carry around 50 people, for the benefit of tourists who travel to the southern coast to watch dolphins and whales.

“This vessel would have many facilities, including a restaurant,” Lal Samarasinghe, Managing Director of the Corporation told the News First website.

Whale watching is a new activity introduced in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. Between December and April months the seas south of Dondra Head and Mirissa are known for Blue and Sperm whales sightings close to shore.

(www.colombopage.com)