EEZ Technology

The Review of Advanced Technologies for the Integrated Management of

EEZs and Coastal Zones Worldwide
ICG Publishing Limited
Edition 5

Sri Lanka's Agenda for Coastal Zone

Management
R.A.D.B. Samaranayake, Coast Conservation Department, Maligawatte
Secretariat, Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT

Population growth in Sri Lanka has increased the use of coastal zone resources.
Unregulated development led to state intervention culminating in a Coast
Conservation Act, 1981, and the creation of a government department in 1984. A
coastal Zone Management plan in 1990 has led to implementation of key reforms,
and the 1997 revision of the plan sets the strategy for coastal zone management in to
the next millenium.

INTRODUCTION
Population growth has increased pressure on the resources of Sri Lanka's coastal zone,
creating new stresses in the coastal environment. The absence of development of
planning and an appraisal mechanism at national level have led to degradation of the
coastal environment. Industrial development since the late 1950s, beach based tourism
development since the late 1960s and the open economic policies of the late 1970s have
all placed strains on the coastal environment.
By the early 1970s problems associated with coastal developments had begun to arise.
The need for a more management oriented approach was first recommended in 1971 by
the coast protection unit of the coast protection unit of the Colombo Port Commission. In
1978 the subject the subject of coast conservation was transferred to the Ministry of
Fisheries, by the creation of a Coast Conservation Division. This was directed towards
maintenance of coastal stability by planned engineering works combined with a sound
planning and management approach. This division was upgraded to the status of a
Government Department in 1984.
COAST CONSERVATION ACT
The Coast Conservation Act No. 57 of 1981 shifted the emphasis from coast protection to
coastal zone management (CZM). The Act decreed the appointment of a Director of
Coast Conservation with the following responsibilities:

1. Administration and implementation of the provisions of the Act.

2. Formulation and execution of schemes of work for coast conservation within the
coastal zone.

3. Conduct of research, in collaboration with other departments, agencies and

institutions for the purpose of coast conservation.

Sri Lanka's coastal zone is defined in the Coast Conservation Act as the area lying within
a limit of 300 meters landward of the mean high water line and in the case of rivers,
streams, lagoons or any other body of water connected to the sea, either permanently or
periodically, the landward boundary shall extend to a limit of 2 kilometers perpendicular
to the strait baseline drawn between the natural entrance points thereof and shall include
waters of such water bodies.

COAST CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN (CZMP)

As required by the Coast Conservation Act, the first National Coastal Zone Management
Plan (CZMP) was prepared and approved by the cabinet of Ministers in 1990. The 1990
plan deals with the coast coastal problems of erosion, loss and degradation of coastal
habitats, as well as loss and degradation of archeological , historical and cultural sites,
and recreational and scenic areas. It describes the nature , scope severity and causes
associated with each of these problems. Objectives and policies for the management of
each problem were identified along with specific management techniques. In particular,
the rationale and procedures for continuing the coastal permit system are detailed.
Implementing actions in this plan are4 regulation, direct development, research, co-
ordination, education and planning and policy development.
Implementation of the 1990 Coastal Zone Management Plan led to key improvements:

1. Permits are required for development activities such as residential and commercial
constructions, recreational structures, road, sewage
treatment plants, dredging, sand mining etc. within the designated coastal zone.
More than 3,000 coastal permit applications have been
reviewed and permit compliance averages more than 87%.

2. The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) may call an Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) report for development activities witch
might have significant negative impacts on the coastal environment. EIA
requirements have been imposed in 10 development
activities.
 3. Coral is one source of lime for construction industry. The enforcement of
regulations of the Coast Conservation Act (Amendment) has led
to a 50% reduction in the number of sea corals removed on the south - west coast of
Sri Lanka . Also, under this provisions, all the lime
kilns have been removed from the designated coastal zone.

4. Beach parks have been and are to be established to enhance the quality of the coastal
environment and to demonstrate the recreational
and aesthetic value of the coastal areas. Mathara beach park was established with the
co-operation of the Urban Development Authority,
Forestry Department and other local authorities. Further sites in wellawatta,
Tangalle, Beruwala and Crow Island have been identified for
development

5. Long term solution for coastal erosion have been planned using coastal stabilization
schemes formulated on the basis of coastal engineering
information. As a long -term solution for coastal erosion, coast Conservation
Department developed a Master Plan for Coast Erosion
Management (MPCEM) in 1986 with the assistance of DANIDA. Over 3000 meters
of coastal protection works have been constructed
in compliance with the MPCEM

6. The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) recognized the need to devolve
resources management responsibilities to Local
Government Authorities and non- governmental organizations (NGOs). As first step
, the Coast Conservation Department (CCD)
delegated several functions to the Divisional Secretaries on the terms of Public
Administration Circular No. 21/92 in 1992, under Section
5 of the Coast Conservation Act. The delegation of Authority has been designed to
improve the Coastal Management Programme by
allowing each local authority to issue minor permits for removal of 2 cubes of sand
from specified areas of the coastal zone designated by
the Coast Conservation Department, and to issue minor permits for all small houses
and commercial establishments with a floor area not
exceeding 1,000 sq.ft. outside set- back areas defined in the Coastal Zone
Management Plan.

7. Coastal 2000 : recommendations for resources management strategy for Sri Lanka's
coastal region highlighted the need for a more
intergraded approach to coastal zone management , including local level
involvement and collaboration, and focusing management efforts
in "Special Areas" which have recognized set of issues within defined and
manageable boundaries. Two Special Area Management (SAM)
sites were chosen in the South Coast , Rekawa and Hikkaduwa, and ecological
profiles and SAM plans were prepared with the
involvement of communities in these areas. The overall planning process and plan
implementation of both sites are co-ordinated by the
Special Area Management Co-ordinating Committees headed by the Divisional
Secretaries of the area. Further planning process of the
SAM site in Unawatuna has already commenced.

REVISED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Sri Lanka's Coast Conservation Act requires the revision of the CZMP every 4 years. The
Coast Conservation Department , with the assistance of the Coastal Resources
Management Project , initiated the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan with
the experience gained in the implementation of the first national Coastal Zone
Management Plan as an important factor. The Coast Conservation Department and the
Coastal Zone Management Project reviewed the main objectives, policies and activities
of the 1990 Coastal Zone Management Plan. The process included with several national
level meetings and workshops. When the draft plan was completed, it was submitted to
the Coast Conservation Advisory Council and the public for a 60 day review period. The
Coastal Zone Management Plan ,1997 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in
September1997 and was effective from 1st November 1997.
The objectives of the revised plan are to:

1. Identify coastal problems that will be the primary focus of the Coast Conservation
Department during the next four years.

2. Indicate why these problems are important.

3. Present the Coast Conservation Department's management a

4. Identify what should be done by other Government and non governmental

organizations to reduce the scope and magnitude of coastal
problems.

5. Identify research activities to immediate importance to the management of coastal

resources.

The revised Coastal Zone Management Plan, like its predecessor of 1990, outlines the
interventions to reduce coastal erosion, to minimize degradation of coastal habitats, and
to minimize loss and degradation of archeological, cultural and scenic sites. A new focus
is the reduction of coastal pollution. A second new focus is Special Area Management ,
including the recognition of the need for locally based collaborative management.
Finally, the plan summarizes the objectives, policies, and actions to be implemented by
the Coast Conservation Department and sets forth the priorities for action.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN BRIEF

The primary policies and techniques likely to be emphasized by the Coast Conservation
Department over the next 4 years are shown in Table1. These are the policies for which
management activities can be employed without significant additions in resources or
supporting activities form other agencies. These policies and techniques constitute the
core coastal management strategy of the Coast Conservation Department

TABLE 1. POLICIES AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR THE CORE

COASTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY OF THE COAST CONSERVATION
DEPARTMENT
POLICY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Erosion Control
A. Regulate development suitability at specific sites.
Education, Permits

B. Ensure proper location in relation to the shoreline.

Set- back, Education

C. Regulate amount, location and timing of sand mining.

Permits, Devolution

D. Build coast protection structures at appropriate locations.

Master Plan for Coastal Erosion

Management

E Regulate private construction of groins, revetments.

Permits

F. Limit construction in erosion prone area. No-

build zones

Habitat Protection
A. Regulate location/use of development activities relative to
Education, Permits, Special Area
valued habitats.
Management

B. Regulate discharge of development which may affect habitats.

Permits, Education, Special Area

Management

C. Reduce resource use conflict

Special Area Management
 Coastal Pollution
A. Regulate effluent discharge of new development activities
Permits

Archaeological, Historical, Cultural and Scenic Sites

A. Regulation of development activities in relation to valued sites.
Permits

Note: Although more than one management techniques is normally used to

implement a given policy, only primary techniques are listed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr.R.A.D.B. Samaranayake is the Director of the Coast Conservation Department,

Colombo,Sri Lanka. He has a BSc( Sri Lanka), MSc (Philippines), Diploma in
Aquaculture (SEAFDEC Philippines), and a Postgraduate Certificate on Coastal
Management (Rhode Island University, USA) and PhD (USA)