Abstract:
Diyawanna Oya is located 11 km away from the city of Colombo. It
is ecologically and historically important water body, which flows
through the current administrative capital of Sri Jayawardanepura
Kotte. It has a long history, since the regime of King Parakramabahu-
VI and also it is a great significance wet land, covered with verdant
fields and ever green vegetation with rich bio-diversity. Therefore, it
is an important environment for wildlife and to develop recreational
benefits; such as exercise, sports and family outings, fishing, cattle
grazing, collecting reeds, rushes and fuel wood to the general public.
Further, it provides important hydrological services and is a rich habitat
for a wide variety of fauna and flora. Accordingly, the Diyawanna
Oya wetlands contribute significantly to the social wellbeing of the
surrounding urban and sub-urban environment, as well as the
communities. As a result, Department of wildlife declared Diyawanna
Oya as a “bird sanctuary in terms of Fauna and Flora Protection
Ordinance (section No 1 of 1994,) and subsequent Gazette notification.
Diyawanna evergreen wet-land was subjected to the modernization
with the construction of new parliamentary complex in 1979 and
subsequently declaration of Sri Jayawardanepura Kotte as the
administrative capital of Sri Lanka in 1980.
Description:
The book on economic loss and natural disaster in tourism sector: “Amenities for Encouraging Ecotourism in Diyawanna Area”, Edited by: Prof. Dr. M.I.M.Kaleel, ISBN 978-624-5513-04-8, published by Excellent publication, 2021