Mount Lavinia artificial beach disappearance under re-investigation: Minister

12 February 2025 02:45 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 36 Bookmark

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By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, Feb 12 (Daily Mirror) - A re-investigation is underway into the disappearance of the Mount Lavinia artificial beach, which was built at a cost of Rs. 890 million, the Environment Ministry announced.

Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said that a new study is being conducted on the artificial beach constructed along the Mount Lavinia coastline.

Meanwhile, Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department Director General, Dr. Turney Pradeep Kumara, said that his department is reviewing activity reports related to the artificial beach, which was constructed under the previous government.

Authorities are also preparing to investigate the matter and report to the Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE).

Currently, the Mount Lavinia coastline has been completely eroded.

"When we visited the site, the newly created artificial seawall was no longer visible. In April 2021, during a nationwide travel ban, sand filling was carried out under tight police security," he said.

The Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department had requested police security for the project due to strong opposition from local residents and environmental organizations.

"The artificial beach was constructed in three phases. A total of 1.5 million cubic metres of sand were used for this project, sourced from the sea 6 kilometres off the Mount Lavinia coast," he added.

He emphasised that the seawall was designed based on an environmental study.

According to an internationally awarded tender, a Danish company, in collaboration with a local construction firm, was responsible for creating the artificial seawall, using 800,000 cubic metres of sea sand for the three phases.