Galle sea to be reclaimed for major development project

Green light has been granted to reclaim 45 hectares of land area within the Bay of Galle to facilitate infrastructure and real estate developments similar to Colombo Port City, according to a report.

The Port of Galle is to be developed as a major state-of-the-art tourism hub in the region by reclaiming the land.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) secured the green light to go ahead as the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department (CCCRMD) approved an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project this week.

The proposed project would include real estate development, berthing of passenger cruise ships, superyachts, small boats, and many water sports and leisure activities, making it a fully fledged major attraction for both local and foreign tourists.

Under the proposed project, two offshore breakwaters, at the lengths of 850 metres and 150 metres, are to be constructed to maintain sufficient calmness in the Bay of Galle and the harbour, according to the final EIA report, which also indicated that a modern cruise terminal is also to be constructed as part of the project.

The EIA report also pointed out that the anticipated environmental impacts during both construction and operational stages had been considered in the study and suitable mitigation measures had been proposed.

If the mitigation of identified impacts is properly adopted, the environmental impacts associated with the proposed reclamation under the Galle Port Development Project can be mitigated by implementing the proposed impact mitigation measures in order to reduce its adverse impacts on the environment in the area, the report said.