Maritime sanctuaries to popularise sea safaris

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Maritime sanctuaries will be set up in shallow sea waters to popularise underwater sea safaris and for divers to view rare ornamental fish. This will attract upmarket tourists who have a passion for such exquisite sports, said Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Senior Professor of Crop Science at the University of Ruhuna.

Prof Senaratne told the Sunday Observer that the seas around the country are ideally suited for safe diving and biodiversity studies. There are no Somali pirates in the seas of Sri Lanka, he said.

He said the Beach Festival on the Tangalle beach from May 23-24 would help popularise underwater diving, especially foreign tourists who are due to participate in the event. The kites on display at the beach festival will depict different types of fish in the seas around the country.

The 1,700 kilometre costal belt around the country is also rich in seaweeds, a money spinner, he said.