ECONOMYNEXT – The poisonous waters of Beira Lake, in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo are to be handled underneath an bold 2.5 billion rupee plan aimed toward making it safer for swimming and different water sports activities, authorities introduced immediately.
An official heading a process power to scrub up the extremely polluted, colonial-era, man-made lake mentioned many of the 192 unlawful uncooked sewage dumping factors which was blamed at one time for its foul smelling water, have been closed, and motion is being taken towards these discharging pollution into the long-lasting waterbody.
Chatura Kahadawaarachchi, Chairman of the Western Province Waste Administration Authority, mentioned dredging of the lake would start inside about three months, alongside the set up of water fountains and aerators to enhance oxygen ranges and permit inland fish species to thrive once more.
Kahadawaarachchi was talking on the sidelines of a ceremony in Colombo immediately to launch an HSBC-sponsored initiative to clear plastic waste and different floating natural particles from the lake.
The HSBC is offering funding for 2 solar-powered boats that will probably be deployed for the clear up for a three-year interval.
HSBC’s Sri Lanka chief Mark Surgenor mentioned they may even help Sri Lanka’s cleaner waterways initiative with technical experience from comparable ventures in Hong Kong.
“We now have dedicated to help the Beira Lake Restoration Activity power not simply with the much-needed funding, but in addition bringing finest practices via our expertise with comparable initiatives in different markets that we function in,” Surgenor instructed reporters at a ceremony attended by Western Province Governor Hanif Yoosuf.
The boats have a capability of clearing about 3,000 kilos of waste every day. The boats are battery powered and charged with a roof-top photo voltaic panel.
Requested concerning the present threat to folks coming into contact with Beira Lake, Kahadawaarachchi mentioned: “It’s at orange, (a notch under pink), however what we need to do is make it safer for folks.”
Among the many largest polluters of the lake has been the state itself. The principle untreated sewage discharge pipes resulting in the Indian Ocean had been leaking at three factors over the lake, contributing to the extreme stench that drove many residents from their flats at Cinnamon Life.
Kahadawaarachchi mentioned the leaking sewage line close to Cinnamon Life has now been repaired, whereas two others elsewhere are being attended to. (Colombo/Jan19/2026)
