Jaffna peninsula under threat from rising sea levels: Minister

31 December 2015 10:41 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Scientists had warned that the Jaffna Peninsula might be obliterated from the Sri Lankan map due to rising sea level and the polluted underground water, a Provincial Council Minister told the Daily Mirror today.

“Scientists had said the entire peninsula would go under the sea, if the sea level rose by even 50 cm,” Northern Province Agriculture Minister Ponnuthurai Ainkaranesan said.

He said in addition the peninsula could also become obliterated if people continued to deepen the wells indiscriminately.

“The danger can be averted only if the people in Jaffna paid more attention on environment protection,” he said.

He said an effective public awareness programme in this regard would be launched.

The Minister stressed the need to work out mechanism to save the peninsula from the ongoing geographical change, pointed out by the scientists.

He said that what former Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenepura University Professor Senevi Epitawatta had warned earlier was now happening.

He pointed out that the underground lime layers in the alkaline soil that spread all over the Jaffna Peninsula had been undergoing erosion for a long time and that clefts created by it were open to the sea. (Romesh Madusanka)

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Comments - 4

Prem Nath Thursday, 31 December 2015 04:34 PM

OK now India will not want to go ahead with the cause way.Will not benefit if there is no Jaffna.

rolland Thursday, 31 December 2015 06:38 PM

Sir: Shocked. The government now will ask China and Pakistan to help save the peninsula.Rolland

nadarajah rajendra Thursday, 31 December 2015 07:44 PM

Go to Holland and study how they are save even the land is under the sea level?.. How they get their drinking water? First deepen the ponds in jaffna town (pullukkulam vannaankulam aariyakulam etc) Mr. thuraiyappa(mayor) started this those days but after his death all abandonded.Please restart this project for the whole of Jaffna peninsula.nadarajah rajendragermany.

Monkey Joe Friday, 01 January 2016 04:24 PM

I agree with you. The SL Govt. must seek the advice of the Dutch how to regain land

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Jaffna peninsula under threat from rising sea levels: Minister

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