Wattala residents oppose wreck removal

Residents at Wattala have registered their protest after politicians initiated action to remove three vessels stranded on the Dikowita beach some years ago, as the residents say sand bars and the abandoned vessels had formed a natural barrier in the area, saving them from many disasters, including the 2004 tsunami.

A vessel stranded on the coast in 1967 and two other vessels similarly stranded in 1994 have become a part of the beach forming a strong beach protection barrier. Indika Ruwan Kumara, the convenor of the organization for protecting Dikowita said Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha SLFP member Shammi Abeywickrama had sought permission from the Coast Conservation Department earlier this year to remove the vessels and sell them for scrap metal.

“It is illegal for a Pradeshiya Sabha member to apply for contracts,” Mr. Ruwan Kumara said adding that however, the Coast Conservation Department had informed Mr. Abeywickrama that permission, subject to several conditions, would be given to remove the vessels.

These include that no parts of the vessels should be left on the coast after the operation, they should be removed without harming the natural environment and especially not to drag the parts of the vessels along the beach. The Coast Conservation Department had further instructed Mr. Abeywickrama that no heavy vehicle should be allowed on the beach for the purpose and that the fishing activities should not be interfered with.

However, Mr. Ruwan Kumara said the people in Wattala were highly concerned about the removal of the vessels from the beach, claiming their presence had prevented tsunami waves hitting the Wattala coastal area three years ago.“The Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha area is situated 1.5 metres below sea level and it is the sand bars and the rocks, along with the abandoned vessels which protect the Wattala area from being affected,” he said.

He added that Fisheries Minister Felix Perera had reportedly given a letter to Mr. Abeywickrama approving the contract as his brother too was a partner of Mr. Abeywickrama.“Such a letter can influence Government officials,” he said.

Residents claim State Engineering Corporation (SEC) vehicles had been brought to carry away the vessel parts and when questioned by them, the SEC crew had said they were hired to do the job. A gang headed by a man identified as Palliyawatte Sumith has been reportedly hired to coerce the residents to give their consent to the operation.

Meanwhile, acting on a petition signed by the fishermen of the area, Divisional Secretary Nimalka Dias has given an order to the Wattala Police to stop any action taken regarding the removal of the vessels until a proper solution is found as the Presidential Secretariat has been informed about the matter.