Seethawaka Odyssey - the newest addition | Sunday Observer

Seethawaka Odyssey - the newest addition

22 January, 2023
Minister Bandula Gunawardena and tour group at the Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Gardens.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena and tour group at the Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Gardens. Pix by Nissanka Wijeratne

The Seethawaka Odyssey is the newest addition to the Odyssey family. Following the success of the Ella and Kandy Odyssey tourist trains, the Seethawaka Odyssey is ready to take local and foreign tourists to the seldom travelled fringes of the Western Province

Outside the hustle and bustle of Colombo lies a pristine region with gorgeous gorges, breathtaking waterfalls, flora, fauna and the mysteries of a storied heritage, and it’s all just one train ride away.

The Seethawaka Odyssey is the newest addition to the Odyssey family. Following the success of the Ella and Kandy Odyssey tourist trains, the Seethawaka Odyssey is ready to take local and foreign tourists to the seldom travelled fringes of the Western Province.

“Colombo District’s most scenic environment is in the Seethawaka Valley near the Kelani Valley. The site of the Seethwaka Kingdom has great historical value as well as many tourist attractions such as traditional martial art schools and archaeological sites, so it is important to encourage the people of Colombo and other places to visit this area. New avenues for investment in the area’s existing tourist industry have also opened up,” Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, who spearheaded the project, said.

Main purpose

Speaking to the Media during Seethawaka Odyssey’s maiden journey, the Minister said the main purpose of the train service is to introduce local and foreign travellers to the scenic Seethawaka region. “We are trying to familiarise this beautiful region with its many waterways and waterfalls to foreign and local tourists. Even people living in Colombo are not aware that there is such a beautiful valley in their own district and I believe that this project will popularise this destination”. He said that the government is looking to improve the Kelani Valley line by converting it into a fully electrified system.

This part of the Colombo District is still unexplored in terms of tourism. The eastern frontier is bounded by misty rolling hills and shares many physical features of the central highlands. Avissawella, Seethawaka’s capital, is a quiet township with many attractions like Sri Lanka’s largest water park and the famous Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Garden. The region also has many scenic waterfalls including the Ranmudu Ella, Kumari Ella, and Goraka Ella in addition to the Labbugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs.

The historically significant Kumari Ella is one you should not miss on this tour. According to local legends, the daughter of the King of Seethawaka had plunged to her death at this waterfall and the Kumari was named hence; “Princess Waterfall”. The Kumari Ella is 4 metres tall and is fed by four creeks and is a tributary to the Kelani River. However, the waterfall has a deep plunge pool and is not suitable for swimming and bathing.

The Kalatuwawa reservoir, a marvel of engineering, is a public work you can visit on this tour. A sub tributary of Kelani River was dammed in 1955 to build the reservoir by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). The water body covers 320 acres and supplies water to the Colombo city and other areas in the district. The area around the reservoir is a forest reservation and is home to a number of indigenous birds.

The Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Garden is one of four major botanical gardens in Sri Lanka and was opened to the public in 2014. The 106-acre garden was built to conserve trees and plants native to Sri Lanka’s low-country wet zone. The lower area of the botanical garden was built around a natural pond and the landscaping features simulate meadows, tiny woods and flower beds. The garden also includes leisurely activities such as paddleboats and a watchtower for bird-watching in addition to cobblestone paths, boardwalk and cafeteria. The Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Garden is a haunt for photography enthusiasts and local tourists and has a huge potential to attract overseas visitors.

The Seethawaka region is also home to an Angampora school and traditional dances. On the Odyssey’s maiden journey, the tour group consisting of 50 foreign visitors from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Kazakhstan took a keen interest on the cultural displays; from the epic swordsmanship shown by Angampora masters to the dazzling low-country fire dancers.

Like the Ella Odyssey and Kandy Odyssey, the Seethawaka Odyssey offers luxury and semi-luxury compartments with comfortable seating, ample luggage space, air-conditioning and entertainment among other options with ticket prices starting from Rs 200 for a Coach up to Rs 500 for First Class. The journey starts from Fort and Maradana at 6:00 am, making stops at major stations and onwards to Waga where a shuttle service takes you to various destinations and back for the return trip to Colombo at 6:00 pm. The Seethawaka Odyssey is set to begin regular services on February 5.

The Chairman of the Western Province Tourist Board, Sugath Hewapathirana said that 95 percent of foreign visitors enter the country via the Katunayake International Airport or the Port of Colombo and start contributing to the national economy as soon as they disembark. “When travellers arrive in Sri Lanka, they go to Sigiriya, Arugambay or Down South. Our goal is to try and keep them around in the Western Province for one day. This way, dollars will go into our local economy and support businesses in the Province.

Tourist zone

He said that there are plans to develop the region into a new tourist zone owing to its huge potential as a location. “There are two reservoirs fed by a catchment area thanks to the region’s unique topography. In terms of climate, the place is closer to Bandarawela and Nuwara Eliya. The train route also has a historical value. The railway line was constructed by the British Colonists to support the plantation economy and before that this where the Seethawaka Kingdom once stood. All these factors; relaxing atmosphere, scenic beauty, cultural richness and historical significance are marketing factors and we are hoping to attract investment to further develop this area”.

But it’s not just for international visitors, the region a quick weekend gateway for the people of Colombo. Be it either a relaxing family picnic or an adventure with your friends, there is so much more that mysterious Seethawaka can offer in a day.

 

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