Photos Krishan Kariyawasam
By Tharumalee Silva
With many speculating how pioneer businessman Dudley Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena, obtained permission to undertake a large-scale construction project at the Unawatuna beach, The Sunday Morning visited the construction site to clarify doubts surrounding the allegedly illegal construction.
With the hotel being built no less than 15 metres away from the Unawatuna beach, the construction site spans over 15 acres, with the building spanning over two acres and standing tall.
The construction of the hotel has mostly been completed. It opens up to a stunning view of the ocean, all the while destroying the view of the historic beach from the oceanic point of view, as the building remains a grey concrete structure in a sea of green forests.
The construction site was heavily barricaded and closed off, with no view or even an indication of the construction that was happening within.
Situated right next to the famous “Walle Devalaya” (shrine on the beach), the hotel is blocked from public view by the Rumassala conservation site.
The Rumassala conservation site is of archaeological importance. According to legend, during the Rama-Rawana war, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was injured and Hanuman was sent to retrieve medicinal herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman, who forgot the name of the herb he was instructed to bring, brought a chunk of the peak of one mountain, and with it thousands of medicinal herbs and other flora and fauna. When the chief physician extracted the medicinal herbs that were needed, Hanuman threw away the block of land which is said to have landed in Rumassala.
Rumassala is thus known for providing a habitat for various medicinal herbs that can only be found in the Himalayas.
The construction site is situated right next to this historic site which blocks the construction process from prying eyes.
As the project is being carried out a mere 15 metres away from Unawatuna beach, which is of great historical and ecological importance, questions have arisen over whether construction should be allowed at the site.
Unawatuna beach is also of religious importance as according to one theory, “Tarshish” – a port mentioned in the Holy Bible – is actually Unawatuna.
Further, Jakotuwa which is a renowned place on the shore of Unawatuna is said to mean “land of the Javanese people”.
The waters off its coast are also home to the famous Buono Vista reef.
According to an assessment carried out by Global Coral Reef Alliance President Dr. Thomas J. Goreau, the Buono Vista reef has the highest documented marine diversity in Sri Lanka.
“In the deeper areas, there is considerable sediment damage. Although fish populations are very varied, their populations were fairly small. The reef is intensively used by fishermen collecting aquarium fish for export, and they have entirely wiped out many of the rarer and more beautiful species. Because of heavy fishing pressure, the fish are very fearful, fleeing from swimmers as soon as they see them, the opposite behaviour to what is seen at Hikkaduwa. Considerable portions of the reef, especially on the deeper edge, have been dynamited by fishermen, and areas which were formerly lush coral are now barren piles of flattened rubble,” the assessment states.
Further, Goreau stated: “Buona Vista is one of the most important reefs remaining in Sri Lanka from biodiversity and ecotourism points of view. Replanting the trees would allow the development of nature tourism for foreigners and locals, and is the only place in Sri Lanka where people could enjoy both coral reefs and forests together. The legendary origin of the mountain is a priceless treasure for a nature park.”
Even though it is public knowledge that the construction is underway, bystanders were sceptical of media presence.
Several environmentalists voiced their concerns over the construction, concerned about the adverse environmental impact the building will have, especially since the Buono Vista reef is residing nearby.
Environmental woes
According to environmentalist Ravindra Kariyawasam, the hotel project was initiated on 4 May 2017 and poses a severe threat to the biodiversity of the Rumasalla protected area and the Bouno Vista reef.
“As of now, 13 acres and 6.1 perches have been claimed by Araliya Unawatuna Beach Hotel (Pvt.) Ltd., and is being utilised to build a five-star luxury hotel with over 200 rooms,” he stated.
He also noted the importance of the Unawatuna beach by emphasising famous visionary Arthur C. Clarke’s own escapades at Unawatuna beach in Galle.
“In his book, The View from Serendip, he emphasised the importance of Unawatuna beach, after which it became world-renowned and tourists started visiting the beach. This book explains different environmental wonders which happen on the beach such as fluctuations in the gravitational forces,” he explained.
He also raised the issue of the growing concern of soil erosion in the area and the concern for biodiversity in the visit Gatis habitat in Rumassala.
Furthermore, according to Kariyawasam, the Xylocarpus rumphii tree has been posed with the threat of extinction due to this project and there are only eight recorded trees remaining in the island.
He added that there was a stream running through the area where the project was being constructed which had been blocked by the parties building it.
Moreover, referring to an agreement made between the Coast Conservation Department and the hotel company, Kariyawasam stated that the company would be purifying 60% of the water entering the ocean.
“If this water enters the ocean near the Buono Vista reef, it would seriously harm the polyps and the species living in the reef and have a significant impact on it,” he said.
However, Kariyawasam stated that this process can only be done through the use of chemicals and was costly.
“If they happen to release untreated water into the ocean, it could destroy the biodiversity of the Buono Vista reef and cause an irreversible amount of marine pollution.”
Kariyawasam said that President Maithripala Sirisena must ensure the environment is protected and natural resources of this country are not compromised.
Kariyawasam concluded by stating that the resources in the island were not for sale and not for the ownership or exploitation by the political hierarchy.
Environmental laws
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Marine Environment Protection Authority General Manager Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara stated: “The construction is being done legally after conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Therefore, we have no objections. The marine environment is not directly impacted by this construction.”
Jungle Beach in Unawatuna is renowned for its biodiversity due to the Buono Vista reef and according to Dr. Kumara, the construction is being done away from the reef.
Department of Coast Conservation – Coastal Resource Management Division Acting Director Gamini Hewage stated that permission was granted to build the five-star luxury hotel after conducting a sufficient EIA.
“There are certain procedures that should be followed when constructing large-scale projects, especially near the beach. So far, the group has abided by the law and worked in accordance with the rules and regulations handed to them by the Department,” he said.
He further stated that the project is being developed a considerable distance from the beach. However, questions still remain over whether the supposed distance between the beach and the sea is sufficient enough to prevent pollution and harm to it.
Upon inquiry on the management of waste, he stated that no waste from the project enters the ocean and that the remaining acres of the land will serve sufficiently for garbage disposal. “No contaminated liquids will be entering the ocean,” he confirmed.
The Unawatuna beach and Rumassala are of great importance to Sri Lanka as they are culturally, environmentally, and archaeologically important to the country. Though the necessary processes have been followed, some still have concerns over the project’s overall impact on its surroundings.
Elaborating further, senior environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella stated that first and foremost, the land they had chosen to build the hotel was definitely not suitable to have a large-scale industrial hotel built on it, stating: “The land they have chosen is home to many rare plants, and it is not suitable at all to build a highly industrialised, five-star luxury hotel here.”
He also stated that the relevant authorities had not conducted a comprehensive EIA, stating: “They should have handed over the conducting of the EIA to a private professional body for an unbiased opinion.”
While stating that environmentalists do not believe that the hotel officials will treat the water that would be released into the ocean, Ranwella stated that this treatment is highly expensive and it was doubtful that the Araliya Group would spend money on this task.
He also stated that the Buono Vista coral reef is the main attraction at Unawatuna and is probably the sole purpose the hotel was built on the beach in the first place. However, he said: “You must never build properties in places with such unique vegetation. Now ,the hotel will destroy the coral reef with unsupervised activities near the coral reef and the coral reef will be subjected to immense pressure and will eventually bleach and wither away. As a result of this, the hotel will lose their main attraction and Sri Lanka will lose the most biologically diverse coral reef it possesses.”
He further expressed his disappointment in the political leaders of the country for compromising the natural resources of the country and destroying its wonders.
The Sunday Morning reached out to Araliya Group Chairman Dudley Sirisena. However, his Secretary said that Sirisena was not in the country and could not be reached for a comment.
•Coast Conservation Department rejects claims
•Concerns raised over impact to environment
A view from the Unawatuna beach of the five-star hotel being built
Situated right next to the famous “Walle Devalaya” (shrine on the beach), the hotel is blocked from public view by the Rumassala conservation site.
The Rumassala conservation site is of archaeological importance. According to legend, during the Rama-Rawana war, Rama’s brother Lakshmana was injured and Hanuman was sent to retrieve medicinal herbs from the Himalayas. Hanuman, who forgot the name of the herb he was instructed to bring, brought a chunk of the peak of one mountain, and with it thousands of medicinal herbs and other flora and fauna. When the chief physician extracted the medicinal herbs that were needed, Hanuman threw away the block of land which is said to have landed in Rumassala.
Rumassala is thus known for providing a habitat for various medicinal herbs that can only be found in the Himalayas.
The construction site is situated right next to this historic site which blocks the construction process from prying eyes.
As the project is being carried out a mere 15 metres away from Unawatuna beach, which is of great historical and ecological importance, questions have arisen over whether construction should be allowed at the site.
Unawatuna beach is also of religious importance as according to one theory, “Tarshish” – a port mentioned in the Holy Bible – is actually Unawatuna.
Further, Jakotuwa which is a renowned place on the shore of Unawatuna is said to mean “land of the Javanese people”.
The waters off its coast are also home to the famous Buono Vista reef.
According to an assessment carried out by Global Coral Reef Alliance President Dr. Thomas J. Goreau, the Buono Vista reef has the highest documented marine diversity in Sri Lanka.
“In the deeper areas, there is considerable sediment damage. Although fish populations are very varied, their populations were fairly small. The reef is intensively used by fishermen collecting aquarium fish for export, and they have entirely wiped out many of the rarer and more beautiful species. Because of heavy fishing pressure, the fish are very fearful, fleeing from swimmers as soon as they see them, the opposite behaviour to what is seen at Hikkaduwa. Considerable portions of the reef, especially on the deeper edge, have been dynamited by fishermen, and areas which were formerly lush coral are now barren piles of flattened rubble,” the assessment states.
Further, Goreau stated: “Buona Vista is one of the most important reefs remaining in Sri Lanka from biodiversity and ecotourism points of view. Replanting the trees would allow the development of nature tourism for foreigners and locals, and is the only place in Sri Lanka where people could enjoy both coral reefs and forests together. The legendary origin of the mountain is a priceless treasure for a nature park.”
Even though it is public knowledge that the construction is underway, bystanders were sceptical of media presence.
Several environmentalists voiced their concerns over the construction, concerned about the adverse environmental impact the building will have, especially since the Buono Vista reef is residing nearby.
Environmental woes
According to environmentalist Ravindra Kariyawasam, the hotel project was initiated on 4 May 2017 and poses a severe threat to the biodiversity of the Rumasalla protected area and the Bouno Vista reef.
“As of now, 13 acres and 6.1 perches have been claimed by Araliya Unawatuna Beach Hotel (Pvt.) Ltd., and is being utilised to build a five-star luxury hotel with over 200 rooms,” he stated.
He also noted the importance of the Unawatuna beach by emphasising famous visionary Arthur C. Clarke’s own escapades at Unawatuna beach in Galle.
“In his book, The View from Serendip, he emphasised the importance of Unawatuna beach, after which it became world-renowned and tourists started visiting the beach. This book explains different environmental wonders which happen on the beach such as fluctuations in the gravitational forces,” he explained.
He also raised the issue of the growing concern of soil erosion in the area and the concern for biodiversity in the visit Gatis habitat in Rumassala.
Furthermore, according to Kariyawasam, the Xylocarpus rumphii tree has been posed with the threat of extinction due to this project and there are only eight recorded trees remaining in the island.
He added that there was a stream running through the area where the project was being constructed which had been blocked by the parties building it.
Moreover, referring to an agreement made between the Coast Conservation Department and the hotel company, Kariyawasam stated that the company would be purifying 60% of the water entering the ocean.
“If this water enters the ocean near the Buono Vista reef, it would seriously harm the polyps and the species living in the reef and have a significant impact on it,” he said.
However, Kariyawasam stated that this process can only be done through the use of chemicals and was costly.
“If they happen to release untreated water into the ocean, it could destroy the biodiversity of the Buono Vista reef and cause an irreversible amount of marine pollution.”
Kariyawasam said that President Maithripala Sirisena must ensure the environment is protected and natural resources of this country are not compromised.
Kariyawasam concluded by stating that the resources in the island were not for sale and not for the ownership or exploitation by the political hierarchy.
Environmental laws
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Marine Environment Protection Authority General Manager Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara stated: “The construction is being done legally after conducting an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Therefore, we have no objections. The marine environment is not directly impacted by this construction.”
Jungle Beach in Unawatuna is renowned for its biodiversity due to the Buono Vista reef and according to Dr. Kumara, the construction is being done away from the reef.
Department of Coast Conservation – Coastal Resource Management Division Acting Director Gamini Hewage stated that permission was granted to build the five-star luxury hotel after conducting a sufficient EIA.
“There are certain procedures that should be followed when constructing large-scale projects, especially near the beach. So far, the group has abided by the law and worked in accordance with the rules and regulations handed to them by the Department,” he said.
He further stated that the project is being developed a considerable distance from the beach. However, questions still remain over whether the supposed distance between the beach and the sea is sufficient enough to prevent pollution and harm to it.
Upon inquiry on the management of waste, he stated that no waste from the project enters the ocean and that the remaining acres of the land will serve sufficiently for garbage disposal. “No contaminated liquids will be entering the ocean,” he confirmed.
The Unawatuna beach and Rumassala are of great importance to Sri Lanka as they are culturally, environmentally, and archaeologically important to the country. Though the necessary processes have been followed, some still have concerns over the project’s overall impact on its surroundings.
Elaborating further, senior environmentalist Nayanaka Ranwella stated that first and foremost, the land they had chosen to build the hotel was definitely not suitable to have a large-scale industrial hotel built on it, stating: “The land they have chosen is home to many rare plants, and it is not suitable at all to build a highly industrialised, five-star luxury hotel here.”
He also stated that the relevant authorities had not conducted a comprehensive EIA, stating: “They should have handed over the conducting of the EIA to a private professional body for an unbiased opinion.”
While stating that environmentalists do not believe that the hotel officials will treat the water that would be released into the ocean, Ranwella stated that this treatment is highly expensive and it was doubtful that the Araliya Group would spend money on this task.
He also stated that the Buono Vista coral reef is the main attraction at Unawatuna and is probably the sole purpose the hotel was built on the beach in the first place. However, he said: “You must never build properties in places with such unique vegetation. Now ,the hotel will destroy the coral reef with unsupervised activities near the coral reef and the coral reef will be subjected to immense pressure and will eventually bleach and wither away. As a result of this, the hotel will lose their main attraction and Sri Lanka will lose the most biologically diverse coral reef it possesses.”
He further expressed his disappointment in the political leaders of the country for compromising the natural resources of the country and destroying its wonders.
The Sunday Morning reached out to Araliya Group Chairman Dudley Sirisena. However, his Secretary said that Sirisena was not in the country and could not be reached for a comment.
•Coast Conservation Department rejects claims
•Concerns raised over impact to environment
A view from the Unawatuna beach of the five-star hotel being built