Moon Plains to open for visitors to Nuwara Eliya again

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has instructed officials to take immediate measures to re-open the tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya for the season.

The mini-world’s end (Moon Plains) and the Agricultural and Environmental Tourism Zone have remained closed on weekends and holidays.

The area has been closed for both local and foreign tourists from January 27 due to a dispute over payments for staff at the Government Seed Potato farm in Seethaeliya. Both foreign and local visitors were unable to enter the zone due to closure of the seed farm over the non-payment of allowances for workers at the seed farm although several farm managers and officers had to work in the area in addition to their farm duties, due to the number of people visiting the tourist area on holidays.

Minister Ranatunga yesterday convened a special meeting to discuss the matter with all relevant parties and resolved the problem of the farm workers.

Moon Plains was declared an Agricultural and Environmental Tourism Zone in 2014 is now a trending attraction in Nuwara Eliya. The land area extends to 155 hectares and visitors will be able to witness nine of the 11 highest mountains in Sri Lanka such as Piduruthalagala, Kirigalpoththa, Thotupola, Kikiliyamana, Single Tree Hill, Conical Hill, Great Western Mountain, Hakgala and Namunukula Mountains from this view point. Visitors have to pass the Government Potato Seed Farm to enter this site.

“We cannot agree to the decision of closing the areas at this juncture when tourists are visiting Sri Lanka. We will take further steps to develop the area in an eco-friendly manner to attract the attention of local and foreign tourists,” the Minister added.