The Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council will introduce strict safety guidelines for tourist boat services at Gregory Lake, the Mayor said on Sunday, days after a speeding jet ski overturned a passenger boat on the lake.
Mayor Upali Wanigasekera announced that steps will be taken to regulate water-based tourism activities on the reservoir following the incident, which prompted immediate safety concerns among residents and visitors. The new framework is expected to cover boat operators, jet ski rentals, speed limits and passenger-safety equipment.
The announcement follows Saturday’s incident, in which a boat carrying tourists capsized after being struck by a speeding jet ski. The Nuwara Eliya Police Lifesaving Unit pulled every passenger to safety, and only minor injuries were reported. The boat’s skipper and the jet ski operator were both arrested.
Gregory Lake, a man-made reservoir built during British colonial rule, is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited hill-country attractions. Boat rides, pedal boats, jet skis and speedboats operate throughout the year, with activity peaking during the April holiday season and the August racing calendar.
The lake has seen repeated safety concerns in recent years. A Cinnamon Air Cessna 208 seaplane crash-landed on the water in January, and the site has been the subject of a separate development push, with cabinet earlier approving a call for bids to lease a 10-acre plot for a theme park.
Details of the new safety framework, including operator licensing, insurance requirements and enforcement mechanisms, are expected to be published by the Municipal Council in the coming days.
