Sagala takes immediate actions to standardise whale watching boat services

A special meeting headed by Minister of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka, was held recently, at the ministry auditorium, to discuss issues related to the whale watching business popular in the Mirissa tourism region. 

Accordingly a special discussion was held at the Prime Minister’s office on Thursday to look into these irregularities and issues in the whale watching sector deeply and to take immediate actions to regulate this business in relation to the gazette notification submitted.

Minister Sagala Ratnayaka who was addressing the meeting said that in the procedure of accommodating tourists, safety of the tourists and safety of the whales are the most important factors. Therefore we should formulate rules and regulations to control the number of passengers that can be transported at once, speed, displacement and other factors to ensure the safety of the tourists, the Minister added. Representatives of the Whale Watching and Aquatic Sports Association expressed their consent to this proposal and accordingly in small boats the maximum number of passengers will be limited to 35 and in large boats the maximum number will be limited to 70. 

Minister Sagala Ratnayaka who further expressed views said that under this initiative special reliefs will be granted to strengthen business. Furthermore, the Minister said that he would assist to standardise these business activities with respect to the submitted gazette notification and agreements made in the discussions. Accordingly under this program foreign training and experience must be given to boat operators and wildlife officers in the process of developing as an industry, the Minister stressed. He also advised to precede this industry forward with an e-ticketing system and definite limitations such as distance of the tour, speed, minimised destruction caused to whales.

Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Ranjith Aluwihare, UNP organiser of Weligama and member of Provincial Council Gayan Sanjeewa, high profile officials from the marine sector and whale watching and aquatic sports association attended this meeting.