Support to conserve Southern coastal Green Belt - SP Governor

by D. C. de Silva - Kahawa Special

Steps have been taken to establish a Model Beach between Bentota and Induruwa Nayahadugala shortly and to remove all unauthorized structures on the Southern Coastal Belt.

This course of action was revealed at a meeting convened jointly by Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, and the Governor of Southern Province held recently at Governor's office in order to address issues concerning unauthorized structures on the South coast and consequential environmental pollution and issues relating to establishing a Model Beach between Bentota and Induruwa Nayahadugala.

The meeting was presided over by Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya was attended by Bernard Gunathilake Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Daya Rathnayake Chairman Saman Villa Ltd., Jayantha Gunasekara Senior Manager BOI Southern region, Chandra Gunawardena Director Galle District UDA, Indu Weerasuriya Deputy Director UDA, M. K. Jackson Bentota PS, S. Kalaiselvam Director General SLIDA, P. U. Ratnayake Director Domestic Tourism SLTDA, W. A. K. S. Damayanthi Assistant Director Bentota PA, Upali de Silva Director Standared and Quality Assurance SLTDA. W. K. G. Pushpakumara Planning Assistant CCD, U. D. C. Jayalal Secretary to the SP Governor, and M. B. Dissanayake Chief Secretary Southern Provincial Council.

It was revealed that 246 unauthorized structures are still located in areas between Unawatuna to Bentota, Habaraduwa 94, Galle 23, Hikkaduwa 57, Ambalangoda 42, Balapitiya 18 and Bentota 12.

Removal of these unauthorized structures had failed due to the interference of local populace and political personalities, it was revealed.Bernard Guunatilake (SLTDA) Chairman said, that the very assets in the form of tourist attraction were being destroyed affecting the interest of future generations by haphazard development and due to the inability of relevant institutions to curb such development due to various reasons.Meanwhile Governor Balasuriya assured she would take up these matters with the President, in order to solicit government endorsement on the proposed course of action for removal of unauthorized structures on the beach.

"I am solidly behind the forum, to implement these proposals to restore and conserve the Southern Coastal Green Belt", she said.