News
Struggles of an island off an island
View(s):By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Baththalangunduwa islanders have long suffered from severe issues, primarily the lack of clean water and electricity. They claim the Government has neglected them.
Baththalangunduwa, a remote island 38 miles from Kalpitiya, is home to nearly 400 migrant fishing families facing severe hardships. Their biggest struggle is access to clean drinking water, relying on pit dug water which often causes health issues. Buying water transported from Kalpitiya is costly, making survival difficult.
“We struggle every day just to get drinking water. We have to dig holes nearly a kilometer away to collect it, and even then, drinking it often makes us sick. Some water is brought by boats from Kalpitiya, but it’s expensive, and many of us can’t afford it,” Mrs Nirosha said.
Lack of electricity is another major issue, with only a few using solar power.
“Without electricity, we live in darkness. We understand that providing electricity is difficult, but there are other ways to bring power to the island. Politicians have promised us many times that officials would come and solve this issue, but nothing has changed. There are many poor families here who live day to day. They need some kind of support,” Ajith Fernando, a fisherman from Baththalangunduwa, said.
Transportation is expensive, with a boat trip home and back costing 2,500 to 3,000 rupees per person. Islanders claim that despite repeated visits from politicians, no real solutions have been provided.
The island’s school has been abandoned, forcing some children to discontinue their education due to financial difficulties. In medical emergencies, the Navy provides assistance.
Fishermen struggle with high costs of fishing gear, and the use of illegal nets threatens marine life. While they contribute significantly to the economy and protect Sri Lanka’s maritime borders from Indian poachers, they feel neglected. Residents urge the Government, especially the Fisheries Minister, to address their long-standing issues, hoping for genuine action beyond political promises.
After years of broken promises from past governments, the islanders hope this Government will finally bring solutions.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!