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Lawbreakers on Mount Lavinia beach

In years gone by the Coast Conservation Department and the Urban Development Authority were very much involved in keeping some kind of order on the beach in Mount Lavinia. Illegal wooden structures in the bay and elsewhere were bulldozed and rebuilt equally fast by the occupants - with no follow-up. Even so-called legal establishments had bills pasted on their structures with the message to quit. Although a bit late in the day the UDA had, come up with their own plan for the uniform development of the beach. Materials for the structures were to be of a temporary nature and of a height as not to obstruct the view of buildings in the hinterland. At that time all existing structures were wooden ones.

However, all good intentions of the UDA came to naught for reasons I would not know. The beach continued to be "developed" by private investors who bought up the bamboo and thatch structures, which served as cover from the sun, to make way for restaurants.

The latest addition, which has come up on the beach in front of the Sea Breeze Hotel is a solid one storied concrete structure strong enough to survive a tsunami released by an earthquake measuring 10 on the Richter Scale.

According to a plaque at the entrance to the beach from College Avenue, the Mt. Lavinia beach was handed over to the Municipal Council of Dehiwela/Mount Lavinia on 24.5.2008 by the Ministry of Tourism, after the completion of a beautification programme.

Ward 18 of Mount Lavinia, which includes the beach is a Government gazetted "Tourist Development Area" and according to the Tourism Act gazetted in 2005, under the jurisdiction of the "Tourism Development Authority". How is it possible that the above mentioned building, which contravenes all rules and regulations has been allowed to come up in spite of four authorities being in charge?

Over to you - Coast Conservation Department - Urban Development Authority

- Municipal Council Dehiwela/Mount Lavinia and the Tourism Development Authority

The Authority most active on the beach is the Excise Department and they never leave disappointed. Cheers!

Bewildered Observer
Mount Lavinia


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