Miltary used to 'promote tourism'

09 May, 2011

	Constructions in Mohottuwarama threaten environment

Fisherfolk in Kalpitiya in the coastal district of Puttlam say that the tourist industry is utilising the Navy to take hold of land.

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

“During the war we did not have a Navy check point, so why do we need a Navy checkpoint now?” he questioned.

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.

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.

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