Beira stinks, public support sought to clean it

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama 

Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara has warned that Beira Lake has become severely polluted after years of rapid urban development, stressing that restoring the iconic water body will require both public support and government action. 

In a Facebook post, he said a special development programme has been launched to clean the lake and eliminate the foul odour affecting residents and visitors to Colombo. 

He said sewage, solid waste and garbage had been dumped into the lake for years, causing severe pollution and the growth of algae and cyanobacteria. 

Gunasekara said the pollution has damaged the lake’s appearance and created environmental and public health concerns. 

He said that while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority owns and maintains the lake, the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) is responsible for managing its water. 

According to the Deputy Minister, water quality tests carried out by the SLLDC found high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia, confirming that the lake is heavily polluted. 

He said the SLLDC has already started removing floating waste, clearing aquatic weeds, cleaning the lake banks, monitoring water quality and identifying the main sources of pollution. 

Desilting work is also underway near Gangaramaya Temple to improve water flow, support boat movement and help maintain the lake in the long term. 

Gunasekara urged residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly and avoid polluting waterways, saying the government cannot restore the Beira Lake on its own. 

“If everyone acts responsibly, we can all contribute to building a clean Beira Lake and a greener Sri Lanka,” he said.