Hikkaduwa Marine National Park Opens

(Colombo, Lankapuvath) - Marking yet another step towards boosting tourism industry within the reviving Island nation, the Marine National Park at Hikkaduwa was declared open for the local and foreign tourists yesterday (29).
The opening was marked by a ceremonious event which was graced by Lukshman Yapa Abewardhana, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and S.M. Chandrasena, Minister of Agrarian services and Wildlife. evening.

Addressing the gathering Minister said the beaches are the major tourist attraction in our country. We have to identify tourist hotspots and develop those areas to meet the expectations of the visitors. We are doing it now.

He also noted Hikkaduwa Marine National Park covers an area of 101 hectares including a snorkeling and diving zone and also a bathing zone, catering to the diverse needs of both local and foreign adventure seekers. The marine park offers a diverse collection of sea creatures as well as beautiful fringing reefs of various corals

The already existing Hikkaduwa National Park was remodeled under this ambitious plan, offering local and foreign tourists a chance to have a well organized and safe recreational experience at affordable prices.

An MOU has been signed by the Wildlife Department and the boat service providers of the area assuring that more reliable and consistent prices would be charged from tourists rather than continuously fluctuating individual rates. Scheduled boat tours assure that the service providers get equal opportunities to contribute to the accelerating industry.

The opening of the Hikkaduwa Marine National Park not only has it’s developmental value, but also a unique environmental value. The remodeling involves a conscious activism in terms of marine life and environment protection. A Coral regeneration plan is a vital part of the park’s vision of a healthy and sustainable tourism industry. And a garbage management program too has been initiated, parallel to the opening of the marine park. And under this initiative, a tractor was donated to the municipal council by the Ministry of Economic Development.

The government’s plan to identify favorite tourist destinations and develop tourist zones would continue further with new vigor with the opening of the Hikkaduwa Marine National Park. Right initiative at the right moment would assure that Sri Lanka will soon be a leading tourism destination in the international arena. 

Officials from Sri Lanka Tourism, Wildlife department and urban council of Hikkaduwa were also among the guests present at this