Officers identify 1400 illegal costal constructions

Colombo (News 1st): The Department of Coastal conservation says that 1400 illegal constructions along the coast of the island have been identified. The Director-General of the Department Prabath Chandrasiri said that steps are already underway to remove these illegal constructions. He added that houses constructed along the coast will not be demolished. Meanwhile, Officers of the Department of Coast Conservation took steps to remove several unauthorized constructions along the Galle coast. A tense situation arose as residents protested against the removal of the buildings. Area residents staged a demonstration opposite the Sudharma Vidyala in Galle obstructing the Matara - Colombo main road. Officers of the Department of Coast Conservation proceeded to remove the illegal constructions along the coast while the demonstration was being staged. The area residents then came to the coast and a tense situation ensued. The Officers of the Department of Coast Conservation had then left the area. They returned half an hour later along with officers of the anti-riot squad of the Galle police. The illegal constructions were then removed amid strong opposition from the area residents.