President orders CCD to remove 18 illegal structures in Mirissa

• Removal within May, all unauthorised construction in Negombo, Dehiwala and Mt. Lavinia to also be demolished

President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) to remove 18 identifies illegal structures along the Mirissa beach.

“The President has given orders to remove 18 identified illegal structures in the Mirissa coastal belt in the immediate future,” CCD Director General Prabath Chandrakeerthi told Daily FT. 

The CCD had previously identified 17 illegal establishments, mostly operated as restaurants and bars along the beachfront, while another one had been recently added to the number.  

The decision, which came on Thursday, followed a discussion the department officials had with the President, who is also the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister.

“During the discussion we explained the illegal operations of these establishments and requested the President to intervene to put an end to this issue,” he added. 

Previously, despite much lobbying by the private sector as well as by the Tourism Development Ministry in particular, the CDD had to suspend the removal of these unauthorised establishments in Mirissa due to political pressure.

The CCD identified the unauthorised constructions along the Mirissa beach, which they had initially scheduled to be removed on 1 May.

It was pointed out that law enforcement authorities were to deploy special units before demolishing the illegal construction to prevent any sabotage or protests by the owners of those in Mirissa area.

Chandrakeerthi also said that the President had given the green light to demolish all other unauthorised constructions identified by the CCD in the areas of Negombo, Dehiwala and Mt. Lavinia.

Refraining from giving a timeframe as these establishment owners as well as politicians threaten him personally, he added that the department would demolish them within this month. (CDS)