News Today: Mount Lavinia Artificial Beach Disappears

A mystery surrounds the sudden disappearance of the Mount Lavinia artificial beach, which was constructed at a staggering cost of Rs. 890 million. The Environment Ministry has now launched an official investigation into the matter.

Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi confirmed that a new study is being conducted to assess the disappearance of the artificial beach, which was built under a previous government.

Meanwhile, Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department Director General, Dr. Turney Pradeep Kumara, stated that his department is currently reviewing project activity reports to determine what went wrong.

Mount Lavinia Artificial Beach Vanishes After Rs. 890M Project

✅ COPE to review the project and findings
✅ Authorities analyzing reports from the previous government
✅ Local opposition and environmental concerns raised during construction
✅ Investigating the use of 1.5 million cubic meters of sea sand

The Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) is also expected to examine the issue, as the entire Mount Lavinia coastline has been eroded—leaving no visible trace of the newly constructed artificial seawall.

“When we visited the site, the artificial seawall was no longer visible,” said Dr. Turney Pradeep Kumara, highlighting that the sand filling was carried out under tight police security in April 2021 during a nationwide travel ban.

The project had received strong opposition from local residents and environmental organizations, leading to the Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department requesting police security for the sand-filling process.

What Happened to the Artificial Beach?

According to officials:
📌 The artificial beach was built in three phases, using 1.5 million cubic meters of sea sand.
📌 A Danish company, in partnership with a local construction firm, won the internationally awarded tender to create the seawall.
📌 The project design was based on an environmental study, yet the coastline has completely eroded in just a few years.

With no trace of the artificial beach, authorities are now under pressure to explain the failure of this multi-million-rupee project.