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Muthupanthiya fisher folk fear their island village may disappear
A boulder barrier built at a cost of Rs 30 million to protect an island village in the Puttalam district has failed to prevent sea-erosion — raising questions about the project. Villagers claim that the Muthupanthiya project at their fishing village surrounded by the sea and lagoon has failed largely because it was not constructed properly.
The poorly built boulder barrier at a huge cost has made this island vunerable to erosion
Muthupanthiya, overlooking the Anavilundawa Ramsa wetland within the Arachchikattuwa Divisional Secretariat area, is a string of islands which, according to history, were famous for pearls. Village elders say that though the islands lacked many facilities, it was safe to live in then. Now, the fisherfolk are engaged in fishing only occasionally. With the Coast Conservation Department constructing a jetty by placing boulders at a cost of Rs 30 million, the beach has become more vulnerable to sea erosion.
They complain that, after fishing, they draw their boats ashore with much difficulty. Muthupanthiya Fishing Association leader Roshan Fernando says sea erosion is rapidly increasing and it is a big struggle for the fisher folk. He said they had asked the department to build the barrier in a ‘V’ shape, but their advice was ignored. The barrier is causing more damage than before.
Niluka Priyanthi
Villager Nilukshan Maduranga says, “It is we who live here, not the officials. They don’t know much about the problem. When the sea gets rough, there is immense damage done to the beach. “Our parents say that earlier the sea shore was about one kilometre away from their homes. Day by day this beautiful village is becoming smaller and smaller. We are sad. We fear that our island will disappear soon,” he laments.
Dirt roads that are affected by erosion
He adds that the boulders used to build the barrier will soon be submerged by the sea. “We advised them not to just put the boulders, but they did not listen. Now we see what has happened.” Niluka Priyanthi said, “Even the lorries that carried the boulders here can’t find their way back because the road is damaged. It is only a few months since the roads were repaired. CCD officials said they would repair the roads after constructing the jetty, but they didn’t keep their word. We lost our road also.”
Coast Conservation Department engineer S. Padmasiri says they spent Rs 30 million last year to build the jetty, but sea erosion has taken place close to it. He said the department would spend another Rs 20 million next year to build another jetty 15 metres away towards the sea.
He says Muthupanthiya villagers have a valid reason to complain because they want to protect their village. But the department believes that as other villages like Udappuwa could also be affected, the barrier should be built 15 metres into the sea.
Although the island lacked many facilities it was safe to live in; not any more