DM exposure on stinking Beira alerts authorities; cleaning begins but ceases halfway

20 January 2025 10:01 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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An instant cleaning process that kicked off on Friday at the stinking tourist hot spot of Colombo’s Beira Lake following a Dailymirror exposure about the lake’s abominable condition near Gangarama Seema Malaka has been seized halfway with the stench and garbage still remaining in vital corners.

Deployment of labourers were captured by our photographer on Friday morning busily engaged in collecting thick greenish gunk of algae that stagnate the lake waters and create repulsive odor and dispatching them.

The Daily Mirror on Wednesday (15) reported under the title ‘Stinking Beira to get attention finally; Joint cleaning project to kickoff today’ about a cleaning programme, which was scheduled to be organised by a joint project of collective authorities responsible for the environmental well-being of the lake.

The matters pertaining to the basin of the Beira Lake is undertaken by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), whilst the responsibility of the water content comes under Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC). The banks and outer edge of the lake belong to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the walking paths around the lake come under CMC.

Following a series of public complaints both by residents and foreign tourists the Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof held discussions with the competent authorities early last week about the present garbage matter and the unpleasant condition of the water. As a result a joint cleaning programme was to commence last Wednesday.

However, a brief visit to the lake by the Dailymirror team yesterday learnt that the clearing was seized halfway with the garbage still remaining around the Seema Malaka, which is the main tourist attraction.

A routine vendor in the vicinity told the Daily Mirror a concrete solution is needed for the garbage menace as the lake water’s ripple effect causes the drifting waste to collect around the establishment on the lake.

Comments - 6

Rip Winkle Monday, 20 January 2025 11:35 AM

Why am I not surprised?

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Amaree Monday, 20 January 2025 12:06 PM

Me too. Typical SRI LANKAN. NO enthusiasm. NO interest. This is the sheer consequence of a prolonged ROBBING regime (SLPP) in power. Absolutely there is NO motivation within the people.

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A Supporter of NPP Monday, 20 January 2025 11:49 AM

It is becoming a regular feature that NPP Government starts action on something and in a couple of days, action stops. It was the case under the banner of Clean Sri Lanka against large decorations in private busses and tri-wheelers when Private Bus Mafia declared its opposition. The Government also gave into Rice Mill Mafia. NPP leaders; Sri Lankan voters have given you a massive mandate and public are still with you. Do not budge an inch because Mafia pressure. If you keep on giving in, you will lose heavily in the coming Local Government and Provincial Council Polls.

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Weekly Progress Reporting Is Needed Monday, 20 January 2025 11:53 AM

The subject minister and secretary for the Environment should demand a weekly progress report from the contractor or from CMC. The past ways of carrying out orders and programs needs to be changed. Those opposing to change should be council and if the mindset is still stagnant and stubborn, they need to be replaced. Once the others see the new governing team is serious in their position, automatically mindset will change! Btw, Google up and see how the Singapore River was cleaned up in a 10 year program. It was so much dirtier than Beira and now there are fishes.

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suresh Monday, 20 January 2025 12:09 PM

Singapore had Lee Kuan Hu Whom do we have????

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CitizenCaine Monday, 20 January 2025 02:39 PM

Cleaning is definitely a must - but also need to figure out the source of all the rubbish as well, to ensure garbage is dumped in the right place, rather than back in the Beira

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