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| Sunday, 11 April 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Limekilns spring up again down south by Elmo Leonard Banned coral mining has raised its ugly head in the lush tourism beaches of the south, exploiting the period of weak law enforcement in the run up to the recent elections. Consequently, sea erosion had already begun, residents, especially from Seenigama, near Hikkaduwa, the hub of south's coastal tourism belt, have said in written complaints, made to the Coast Conservation Department (CCD), which comes under the Fisheries Ministry. In addition, sand mining of the coast, in commonplace. CCD, director, Dr R A D B Samaranayake said, he, "expects the new government to find its feet soon, and act fast, on the matter." Residents contacted on telephone, and declined to be named, said that besides loss of beaches which tourists enjoy, they feared their houses and properties may be washed away to the sea. The coastal stretch most under threat, is, Seenigama, Kahawa, Habaraduwa, Medigama to Rekawa, near Tangalla. Prior to the elections, CCD, mustered a police force and raided a coral mining stretch in Seenigama, but around 15 miners, got away, leaving behind 30 canoes packed with coral. Police destroyed the canoes, Dr Samaranayake said. Coral mining is banned, two kilometres into sea, and 300 metres, inland. Police have demolished 225 lime kilns, from Ambalangoda, southwards, during the period of successive governments. But recently, seven kilns have come up, in Kahawa, over 300 metres inland, bringing it outside the jurisdiction of CCD, Dr Samaranayake said. CCD had recently held discussions with DIG, marine division of police, Punya de Silva. The brief, is for the police marine division, to coordinate with local police stations and carry out raids. |
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