The boat service for transporting passengers operating along the Beira Lake from Union Place to Colombo Fort was launched under the auspices of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (22 August)
Speaking at the launch, Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that Colombo City has been developed more over the past four years than it ever has in the previous six decades.
Speaking to RepublicNext, Project Manager of the Boat Service Ranushi Siripala said that the passengers could use the service free-of-charge for one month which started yesterday and there on, tickets would be priced at 50 Rupees for a one-way route on the transportation service.
Further, Siripala also confirmed that more ticketing schemes will be introduced such as monthly passes and more to make the service convenient for regular users.
The Navy operated boat service will carry 50 commuters from a jetty near Union Place to the Beira waterfront jetty in Fort in a 10-minute ride.
She further noted that the service would help reduce much of the traffic in the Colombo area during peak hours.
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayaka, Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga and Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka also attended the launch of the transport service.