Strict buffer zone on coastal belt

By Damitha Hemachandra
January 11, 2005

The government plans to resettle the people, who are now living in environmentally vulnerable and unsafe locations of the affected coastal belt along with the people, who were displaced by the tsunami.
Urban Development Ministry Secretary T. Hewage said all structures excluding essential buildings like ports and harbours would be moved out of the 300 metre coastal buffer zone while the remaining constructions too would be forced to follow strict precautions to prevent future tragedies.
While insisting on the strict implementation of the National Coastal Management Plan Mr. Hewage said any future construction on the coastal line should get permission from the Coast Conservation Department and UDA.
Commenting on the rumours of removing resorts from the coastal belt he said they would be functioning at their own risk but hotels which were increasing sea erosion would have to take strong steps to prevent it