Tourism should expand beyond coastal areas – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the need to expand the tourism industry beyond coastal areas to strengthen the country’s economy.

He highlighted the significance of the South in driving tourism promotion within the country, particularly outlining plans to develop Galle into a major tourist city.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks while handing over “Serin River Park” the ecological park in Holuvagoda, Galle to the public on Wednesday (13) afternoon.

Construction on the park, commenced in 2021, has transformed a 14-acre fallow field into a vibrant recreational space.

Initiated by Minister Ramesh Pathirana, the project plans were crafted by the Urban Development Authority, with construction executed by the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation Corporation.

The project, estimated at LKR 440 million, encompasses various features such as a lake, walking paths, iron bridges, children’s park, market stalls, and ecosystems, with electricity sourced from solar lighting.

Furthermore, a program aimed at marketing the agricultural crops and other products of the local community to visitors will also be launched as part of this initiative.

In the future, a boat service will be established from this park to Wakwella, Wataraka and Galle, with a primary focus on promoting tourism.

Additionally, this park will serve as a flood control measure to alleviate the long-standing flood issues faced by the residents of Holuwagoda and Opata areas over many decades.

The President also bestowed tokens of appreciation upon individuals who made notable contributions to the successful construction of this environmental park.

(PMD)