HIKKA TO BE A SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA

HIKKA TO BE A SPECIAL PROTECTED AREA - MINISTER

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said steps have been taken to name the sea area in Hikkaduwa, with the popular coral reef, a special protected area, the Government information department said today.

The Minister said the reef would be divided into two areas and one area will be reserved for diving while the other area will be made available for boat riders to view the coral reef.

He said that the government will take steps to register all the boats that take the tourists to view the corals.

The recently re-opened Hikkaduwa Marine National Park, one of the two marine national parks in Sri Lanka, fringes a coral reef of high degree of biodiversity.

The Minister said the park, remodeled to provide tourists a chance to have a well-organized and safe recreational experience at affordable prices, offers a diverse collection of sea creatures as well as beautiful reefs of various corals, the Govt. Info. Department said.

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