Watakeiya plants that line Paradise Island, destroyed

Tourist guides in the area allege that the construction of a new drainage system along the Paradise Island coast in Bentota is causing great environmental damage as it causes damage to Watakeiya plants that line the coast.

The project stretches for about 1.5 km along the coast and is being carried out by a private contractor.

Tourist guides say that even in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster, the area was protected due to the Watakeiya plants.

Meanwhile, the Coastal Land Protection Organization staged a protest in Kandana today demanding the cancellation of the gazette notification issued by the Urban Development Authority to take over lands in the Muthurajawela wetland.

Surakimu Muthurajawela has also lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission today.