Constructions in Mohottuwarama threaten environment

The navy checkpoint in Mohottuwarama, Kalpitiya set up since the interest of tourist industry threatens 500 fishing families and their livelihoods, local fishermen told Prasad Purnimal of BBC Sandeshaya.

Sri Lankan navy set up a check point in a netting area threatening the fishing industry.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya President of the United Fishermen’s Society Joseph Kennedy Jayamanna said “only after this tourism project the Navy got stationed here”.

	'Projects are destroying the environment' WFF

The Kalpitiya tourism promotion zone is 'Sri Lanka's biggest Tourism development project' according to the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Autority (SLTDA)

According to a villager there are sixteen fishing nets in Mohottuwarama alone that provides the livelyhood for at least five hundred families.

Islands in the zone Battalangunduwa Palliyawatta Vellai I Vellai II Vellai III Uchchamunai Ippantivu Periya Arichchalai Sinna Arichchalai Eramutivu Sinna Eramutivu Eramutivu West Kakativu Mutwal(Dutch Bay)

MH Ayub of Save Mohottuwarama campaign claimed that Mohottuwarama is divided among businesses to build tourist hotels.

“Authorities are not investigating allegations on environmental damages” he added.

Environment damage

A fact finding mission by World Fisherfolk Federation (WFF) found that the projects are destroying the environment in the area.

Representative of the WFF, Herman Peiris told BBC Sandeshaya that the projects are not carried out in a sustainable manner.

Mangroves and coastal erosion is caused by the construction work, he added.
SLTDA has already earmarked 14 Islands spread over 4,000 acres in the proposed Kalpitiya tourist zone.