Ceylon Fisheries Harbor Corporation (CFHC) will build a new tourism harbor adjoining the present Mirissa harbour mainly to conduct tourism activities.
Acting General Manger, CHFC, Janaka Mudalige told ‘Daily News’ that the present Mrissa Fisheries harbour is now being used as a dual purpose harbour to carry out Fisheries activities as well as the take off point for whale watching. However when the whale watching season starts the harbour gets overcrowded and it’s hard to carry out activities limiting operations of both sectoers. Public including tourists who used to come for whale watching have to walk a long distance due to limited parking and access to the harbour. In addition more cold rooms and other key infrastructure too cannot be added due to lack of space.
“Due to this CHFC have drawn a blueprint to build a new harbour almost adjoining the Mirissa harbour and we expect this to cost around Rs. 500 million.
The proposed Tourism harbour is created with the future tourism (after Corona pandemic ends) market in mind.
“We will have a mini hotel, shopping archde and also large restaurant area. Once this is constructed it will be leased out to the private sector ensuring return on investment for our project.
“In a bid to attract international yachts of smaller size to Mirissa we will also have a customs and immigration office along with a mini duty free to attract foreigners to visit and stay in the area.”
