Sri Lanka wants the blue flag on its beaches
Sri Lanka is readying to obtain the Blue Flag Certification that will showcase the coastal line of the island as a sustainable beachfront to the world as part of the Marine Conservation Master Plan.
The international certification for safety and security for sustainability of the beach front would need to ensure that the inland water bodies are clean and pollution is minimised in addition to providing safety and security of the beach users, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando said.
He noted that in view of the safety and security of the Southern and Eastern coasts they hope to engage the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Navy.
Mr. Fernando explained that as a result of increased drownings observed in these areas they believe it is necessary to establish life saving units and platforms selected to have the coast guard.
With the increase in the number of tourists visiting the Southern and Eastern coasts there is a need to increase manpower along these coastal belts for which these agencies will be carrying out the necessary training.
The Southern coast will be accorded priority and will be Phase I of this project that will include Tangalle and the Eastern belt will be Phase II from Trincomalee to Passikudah. At the moment North is not a priority.
The coasts need to be well staffed and well manned in order to ensure that everyone is safe, it was stated. At present hotels have their own life saving units but this new programme will ensure they provide more confidence to tourists similar to the establishment of the Tourist Police Unit.
The training programme is expected to get underway by around April or May this year, it was noted.
Mr. Fernando also said they are working with the Marine Environment Protection Authority, the Coast Conservation Department and the Central Environmental Authority to ensure that sea water does not become polluted by ensuring that they minimise pollution in the inland water bodies.
As the fifth largest polluter of sea water in line with global rankings Sri Lanka hopes to ensure they have sustainable beaches for which authorities have also obtained the services of an international marine tourism consultant Ms. Alley Dragozet on the recommendation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).