A special technical project using seawater as a short-term solution to clean Colombo’s Beira Lake is set to be launched, with the entire cost of the initiative to be funded by a private donor.
Engineer Nahil Wijesuriya has agreed to provide full financial support for the project, according to reports.
The announcement was made during a meeting on Thursday (09) at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, where representatives from the public and private sectors discussed plans to clean and beautify Beira Lake.
The discussion, chaired by the Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera, focused on the project’s implementation and future course of action.
The Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) said water quality tests conducted at 35 locations across Beira Lake found high levels of pollutants, including nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia. The assessments also detected significant concentrations of contaminants affecting dissolved oxygen levels, indicating that the lake is heavily polluted.
In response, the SLLDC has begun a series of restoration measures, including the removal of floating waste and debris, clearing aquatic weeds, cleaning the lake banks, conducting continuous water quality monitoring and identifying pollution sources.
The corporation is also removing accumulated silt from the south-western section of the lake near Gangaramaya Temple. The dredging work is expected to improve maintenance, facilitate boat navigation and enhance water circulation within the lake.
Meanwhile, the Government also plans to implement long-term programmes to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of Beira Lake under this year’s Budget allocations.
The Colombo Municipal Council, Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) are expected to jointly implement the long-term programme. (Newswire)