The ‘Seethawaka Odyssey’, a weekend special tourist train service will commence operations from January 15 to boost the tourism industry in Seethawakapura, Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena said.
Minister Gunawardena said the ‘Seethawaka Odyssey’ will operate from Colombo Fort to the Waga Railway Station and will make stops at a number of attractions along the route.
The minister pointed out that the most beautiful ecosystem in the Colombo district is the Seethawaka Valley located near the Kelani Valley and that many places of tourist attractions such as traditional martial arts and archaeological sites with great historical importance are also found in the Seethawaka Kingdom.
Therefore, it is essential to further educate the people of Colombo and other areas about the significance of this region and create an interest in them to visit this tourist site, he stressed.
Minister Gunawardena added that new investment opportunities have already been created through the existing tourism industry in the area.
Pointing out that the tourist trains such as Ella Odyssey and Kandy Odyssey have reached the point where demand cannot be met, the minister said a similar type of weekend tourist train service called Seethawaka Odyssey will be started focusing on the Kelani Valley Railway line in order to gradually boost the tourism industry.
Minister Gunawardena made these remarks yesterday (11) during a discussion held at the Seethawakapura Botanical Garden Auditorium on the Seethawakapura Tourism Zone Development Programme. (NewsWire)