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| Sunday, 9 January 2005 |
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Over Rs 100 m coastal repair begins by Elmo Leonard Reconstruction of Sri Lanka's coastal belt damaged by the Asian tsunami is expected to begin on January 15, utilising Rs 100 million which was not spent for coast conservation during 2004. The Coast Conservation Department (CCS) will initially use its own manpower and later government builders and the private sector will be called in, CCS director, Dr R.A.D.B. Samaranayake said. The total damage to the island's coasts is yet to be determined, but initial estimates have been put down at Rs 300 million (Rs 98 to a US dollar) for the reconstruction of coastal protection structures and another Rs 55 million for other purposes, Dr Samaranayake said. Coastal erosion resulting from the tidal waves which swept the island was widespread in some areas and its total impact will also take time to be evaluated. Meanwhile, the CCS was last week in touch with aid agencies and diplomatic missions for funds to reconstruct the island's entire coastal belt with stronger structures. Answering questions CCS director said that the duration of time to put the coastline in order will depend on many factors, yet unknown. Before the tsunami hit, 80 to 100 kilometres of the coastline had been strengthened with boulders, groynes, revetments, and breakwaters built in the sea. Such construction is commonplace around Colombo, Wennappuwa, Negombo, Moratuwa, Hikkaduwa, Payagala, Galle, Weligama, Matara and Tangalle. Around Akurana, Galle and Hikkaduwa entire boulders had been washed into the sea and in other places complete revetments claimed by the ocean. Such damage was most widespread in the south where excessive coral mining had gone on unabated for decades, leaving no natural barriers. According to the Coast Conservation Law of 1981, (now pending Cabinet revision) there should be a minimum distance between the sea coast and the construction of buildings. In Yala, where sea erosion was rampant over the years, the distance from the coast, for construction to be permitted is 125 metres. In Hikkaduwa, the distance is 55 metres, from the coast and in Chilaw, 60 metres. In Negombo, Duwa and Taldiyawatte the distance is 45 metres. Notwithstanding these distances were worked out to keep out waves of two-to-three metres in height, the hotels and other buildings which were constructed heeding such norms stood the impact of the tsunami of December 26. But, understandably, the furniture and other movable property within these buildings were damaged, Dr Samaranayake said. "Needless to say, all unauthorised structures built near the coasts in Moratuwa or anywhere else, were broken down like matchwood," Dr Samaranayake said. The Coast Conservation Law will now have to be revised to keep out much higher waves. This department will recommend that fishermen be settled in community dwelling units away from the immediate proximity of the sea coast, Dr Samaranayake said. The CCD has built many beach parks for recreation and protection of the beach front, during the past few years. CCD welcomes the planting of trees appropriate for beaches, as part of a national coastal conservation plan. Sri Lanka is ringed by 1280 kilometres of coasts. There is much biodiversity in the coastal belt in estuaries, lagoons and marshes amounting to 120,000 hectares, of which 80,000 hectares consist of deep lagoons and estuaries. The rest are shallow lagoons, tidal flats, mangrove swamps and saline marshes, which must be protected for the socio-economic benefits it affords to the people, besides, the protection it affords to the land. The CCD is now intent on acquiring a database for future decisions on coastal conservation which would cost around Rs 2 million. Data will also have to be maintained on the protection and conservation of coral reefs, Dr Samaranayake said. |
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