25 March 2021 12:07 am Views - 820
Artificial beach between Kalutara and Mount Lavinia
By Chaturanga Samarawickrama
An artificial beach stretch made in Kalutara’s Calido Beach, along the Ratmalana-Angulana stretch and in Mount Lavinia was successful beyond expectations, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department Chief Engineer (Coastal Design and Research) Sujeewa Ranawaka said.
He said that the project was implemented to build an artificial beach stretching 2 km made in Kalutara’s Calido Beach, 1 ½ km along the Ratmalana-Angulana stretch and 500 m in Mount Lavinia.
He said the project aimed to create a 15 m beach at Wellawatte through the sand engine method. 150,000 m3 of sand was placed on Mount Lavinia beach and is expected to be transported to Wellawatte.
“The pattern of sand accretion/deposition repeats at the canal outlets at Dehiwala and Wellawatte. The coastal structures had been built to prevent sand deposition at the outlet to keep it open,” he said.
The coastline between Mount Lavinia and Wellawatte would remain relatively stable for many decades albeit with seasonal changes, Mr. Ranawaka said.
The sand deposited at Mount Lavinia had to pass three major natural and artificial structures.
“Many associations, organisations raised their objections over the project,” he said.
However, the current situation has changed and now we have a large beach area except the filled rock on coastal barriers.
With the effort of the Coast Conservation Department, the country has got a beautiful beach area which could even help to increase the tourism sector, Mr. Ranawaka added.
Moreover, the Chief Chef of the Mount Lavinia Hotel Dr. Pabilis Silva also claimed that the beach created in front of the hotel is very precious for them.