by Thushari Kalubowila

The Coast Conservation Department said around 20 to 30 meters of the Southern coastal belt had been lost to the sea.

"Following the December 26 tsunami, the speed of sea erosion increased. Every day the erosion continues," Director of the CCD, Dr. R. A. D. B. Samaranayake said.

He said that several sandbars and granite barriers closer to the coast had been destroyed by the tsunamis resulting in erosion being intensified.

He added that the recent tidal patterns had further increased the erosion.