Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that a weekend special tourist train service called ‘Seethawaka Odyssey’ will begin from January 15 to boost the tourism industry in Seethawakapura. The Minister made these remarks during a discussion held at the Seethawakapura Botanical Garden Auditorium yesterday on the Seethawakapura Tourism Zone Development Programme.
Minister Gunawardena further said the most beautiful ecosystem in the Colombo district is the Seethawaka Valley located near the Kelani Valley. 
Many places of tourist attractions such as traditional martial arts and archaeological sites with great historical importance are in the Seethawaka Kingdom.
Therefore, it is very important to further educate the people of Colombo and other areas about the significance of this region and create an interest in them to visit this tourist site, he added.
He further said that new investment opportunities have already been created through the existing tourism industry in the area.
“We are working to start a new project focusing on the Kelani Valley Railway line in order to gradually boost the tourism industry,” he added.
He said the tourist trains such as Ella Odyssey and Kandy Odyssey, which are currently operated by the Railways Department, have reached the point where demand cannot be met.
A similar type of weekend tourist train service called Seethawaka Odyssey will be started, the Minister said.
Arrangements have been made to provide transport services to the passengers coming to the Waga railway station by the Seethawaka Odyssey through SLTB and private buses.
The ‘Seethawaka Odyssey’ will operate from Colombo Fort to the Waga Railway Station and will make stops at a number of attractions along the route.
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