President inspects Calido beach development in Kalutara

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inspected the progress of the Kalutara North Calido beach Development Project yesterday which is currently being implemented to prevent sea water mixing with river water in the region.

In 2017,the monsoon floods caused erosion of sand bars close to the estuary resulting the erosion of a vast area of beach in Kalutara North due to encroaching waves. As a remedy, coastal conservation was begun dredging sand from deep sea. The project is in three stages. Under the first phase of the project, 2 km long and 25 m wide an artificial beach will be constructed. Three hundred thousand cubic meters of sand will be used for the filling process.

The 500 meter section has already been completed. The first phase is expected to be completed within two weeks’, acoording to the Chief Engineer of Coastal Development, Sujeewa Ranawaka.

The 1 Km stretch Angulana beach under the second phase and 500m Mount Lavinia beach under the third phase will be developed.  Mr. Ranawaka said that all three phases of the project could be completed by April 20.

While moving towards Kalutara the President’s attention was drawn to the daily city cleaning process around Moratuwa, Panadura.

President immediately informed the representatives of the local government bodies and the police officials about the unsatisfactory cleaning process around these cities.

President Rajapaksa instructed the officials to carry out an immediate investigation into the failure to keep proper daily cleaning services and to clean up the city as soon as possible. He also stressed that this process should continue.