DOLPHIN WATCHING IN KALPITIYA TOURIST VILLAGE GIVEN A BOOST

The Wildlife Conservation Department has implemented a programme to streamline boat services for persons going Dolphin watching in the Kalpitiya tourist village. Kalpitiya Range Wildlife Conservator Manjula Kumara Monarathenna said for the first time the Coast Conservation Force had been deployed to monitor boat services.

Mr. Monarathenna said the Wildlife Conservation Department had decided to take this step to ensure the safety of both tourists and aquatic resources. He said the standard of the boats being used including life guard devices, GSP technology and their technical fitness would be judged by the Coast Conservation Force.

He said crews should have successfully completed the course conducted by the Marine University and the Tourism Promotion Authority in order to qualify to take tourists out on Dolphin watching tours. The tourists aboard would have to strictly adhere to the instructions issued by the wildlife conservation department and refrain from any disturbance to the natural behaviour patterns of the Dolphins.

The official said they implemented this programme to provide a better service to tourists.