Amenities for Encouraging Ecotourism in Diyawanna Area

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.