A tourist train service, Seethawaka Odyssey, to boost the tourism industry in the historic Seethawaka region, will begin its maiden journey today with 50 tourists.
Realising the potential of promoting the tourism industry through a formal transport service, Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has instructed officials of the relevant institutions to take steps towards this purpose.
The weekend tourist train service will begin today to boost tourism in Seethawaka, Minister Gunawardena told a discussion on the Seethawakapura Tourism Zone Promotion Program.
The most beautiful environment in the Colombo district is the Seethawaka Valley near the Kelani Valley.
The Seethawaka Kingdom area has great historical importance and many tourist attractions such as traditional martial arts and archaeological sites. Therefore, the people of Colombo and other areas should be made more aware of this importance. They should be encouraged to visit this area.
A new field of investment has been created in the tourism industry in the area.
“We are working to launch a new project from today, focusing on the Kelani Valley railway track to develop the tourism industry in a more systematic way, the Minister said.
Minister Gunawardena said that tourist trains such as Ella Odyssey and Kandy Odyssey, which are being run by the Railway Department, have grown to the point of unmet demand.
He also said that passengers could come from Colombo to Vaga by the train through a combined public and private transport service.
MP Yadamini Gunawardena, representatives of the Western Provincial Tourism Board, representatives of the Railway Department, Ceylon Transport Board and institutions related to the project, representatives of the regional Local Government were present at the discussion at the Seethawakapura Botanical Garden auditorium.