Diyawanna boat service highlights beauty of Parliament

By Ranil Wijayapala

The three decades of terrorism in Sri Lanka distanced many institutions, from the people as the terrorists were on constant alert to find a loophole in the system to accomplish their terror objectives by mingling with the common masses.

Passengers disembarking from the ferry boat

Therefore, people had to confine their recreational activities to a limited number of places which were accessible to them.

Serene waters

The serene waters of Diyawanna Oya which impressed the architectural mind of Geoffrey Bawa to design the supreme legislature of the country, was not accessible to the common masses for the past three decades though it was located close to the people in Colombo and its suburbs.

The divers and the sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy who provided security to the Parliament building and the birds flying across the Diyawanna Oya would have been the group that enjoyed the serene beauty of this place during that period.

Natural beauty

Ending that period which created barriers for the people to enjoy the natural beauty of the Diyawanna Oya surrounding the Parliament Complex has become accessible to the people with the launching of 'Diyawanna Boat Service' by the Sri Lanka Navy on a concept by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The boat service was launched on February 6, by the Speaker of the Parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa on an invitation extended to him by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Taking a closer look at the Parliament Complex

Lt. Commander Weerasinghe and the crew

Entrace to the jetty

The prime movers behind this initiative, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Rohan Amerasinghe and senior Naval officers were present.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed Sri Lanka Navy to start this project enable the people visiting parliament to have a look at the parliament building from the Lake. It will also become an attraction for the people visiting the parliament area on daily basis to relax and also for the people coming there during the weekends to enjoy themselves.

Boat service

Therefore, any person who visits the Parliament Complex will have the opportunity to have a different view of parliament from the lake itself as the Sri Lanka Navy is ready to provide this boat service from 8 am to 6 pm. The boat service commences from the jetty on the side of the Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Road on the side of Jana Kala Kendraya.

According to Lt. Commander Weerasinghe, the Navy officer in charge of the boat service, three lagoon craft built under the Navy's Inshore Patrol Craft Construction Project will be deployed for the service. Each craft powered by two 115 Horse Power Outboard motors and has seating capacity for 25 persons.

The Sri Lanka Navy has taken measures for the safety of the passengers by providing each of them with on-board safety measures such as life-belts and jackets. Each craft is backed by SLN divers, life savers and medical personnel for the safety of the passengers.

"Before the start of the journey passengers are provided a demonstration regarding the use of the safety jacket and safety belt and it is mandatory to wear a life jacket during the journey ", Lt. Commander Weerasinghe said.

Nature lovers

The boat ride is for a minimum of 40 minutes boat ride and it can be extended upto one hour. The service operates upto Polduwa bridge near Waters Edge and on the other side parallel to the road behind the parliament building.

As the ferry slowly moves on the lake, people on board will get the opportunity to have a clear view of the parliament building from different angles and have a look at its architectural design and access road.

Life jacketd demonstration

The serene beauty of the evening skies

For nature lovers it will provide an opportunity to capture the natural beauty of the Diyawanna Oya and the birds in the small islets. According to the Lt. Commander Weerasinghe schoolchildren will have this opportunity at a concessionary fee of 50 rupees. The others can hire a boat at Rs. 2,500 package for a group of 25 or less.The boats will travel slowly to ensure safety of the passengers.

Canal improvement

"The Naval staff here are ready to provide this service to the people to enable them to enjoy the journey while ensuring their safety", Lt. Commander Weerasinghe said.

According to Sri Lanka Navy, it has commenced similar boat services in the Wellawatta and Kirualapona canals, Lunawa lagoon and now at the the Diyawanna Oya as it embarked on canal improvement project on the directive of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa and are continuing these service to cater various request from the public.