All three phases to culminate by mid-April

All three phases of the Kalutara North Calido beach development project can be completed by April 20, Coastal Development Chief Engineer Sujeewa Ranawaka informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last Sunday when the latter inspected the progress of the assignment.

Meanwhile, the President’s Media Division said floods that hit in 2017 had caused the erosion of sand bars near the estuary thus eroding a vast area of beach in Kalutara North due to encroaching waves.

“As a remedy, coastal conservation had begun dredging sand from deep sea. The project is in three stages. Under the first phase, a 2km-long and 25m-wide artificial beach will be constructed. Three hundred thousand cubic meters of sand will be used for the filling process. The 500m section has already been completed. The 1km stretch in Angulana beach under the second phase and 500m stretch in Mount Lavinia beach under the third phase will be developed. All three phases of the project can be completed by April 20,” Mr. Ranawaka said.

BOX: Moratuwa, Panadura plagued with poor upkeep; Prez demands swift action

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed the police and representatives of local government bodies about the unsatisfactory cleaning process in Moratuwa and Panadura. President Rajapaksa who visited Kalutara last Sunday had instructed relevant officials to carry out an immediate investigation into the failure to maintain proper daily cleaning services in these areas.