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Sri Lanka’s coastline, a breathtaking view of golden beaches, lush mangroves, and vibrant fishing villages, is pressing crisis: the rapid erosion of its shores. For centuries, these shores have been more than just a scenic background; they are the lifeblood of communities, a haven for biodiversity, and a basis of the island’s economy. Coastal erosion, once a slow and natural process, has become a full-blown crisis, threatening local lives, livelihoods, and the very identical features of Sri Lanka’s coastal regions. This phenomenon, driven by both climate change and human activities.
Hotspots of Crisis in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s coastal erosion is not uniform. Certain areas are bearing the severe of the damage, with some villages losing up to 10 meters of land annually. The northwestern and eastern coasts, including regions like Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa, are among the severest. In the south, popular tourist destinations such as Hikkaduwa and Mirissa are also seeing alarming rates of erosion.
These hotspots are not just geographical markers—they are stories of loss. For examples, in Kalpitiya, fishermen who once moored their boats on sandy shores now wade through waterlogged streets. Also, in Trincomalee, families are being forced to relocate as their homes are swallowed by the sea. And in the south, where tourism thrives, businesses are struggling with the dual threat of eroding beaches and decreasing visitor numbers.
Coastal Erosion Trends and Shoreline Management Measures Adopted
According to study by Abeykoon L.C.K et al. (2021), during 2005-2019 period on the Western and North-western provinces revealed that average coastal erosion rates of –1.21±0.04 m yr-1 in Kalutara, – 0.54±0.63 m yr-1 in Colombo, and – 0.7±0.58 m yr-1 in Gampaha district respectively. Puttalam district showed a 0.26±0.07 m yr-1 average accretion rate, while the highest accretion rate (0.95 ± 0.58 m yr-1) was evident in the coastal region of Wilpattu National Park, an area that has few anthropogenic interventions.
The findings also reveal that the application of hard structures to mitigate the effect of coastal erosion has increased within the past 15 years. Accordingly, at the end of 2019, the country mainly used revetments up to 23,554 m in length (occupying 9.05% of the total study area), consisting of 18,960 m in the Western province (7.29%) and 4,594 m in the North-Western province (1.76%). The Western province has applied more hard structures at a higher rate than the North-Western province due to mega-development projects. Read here
According to the recent investigation records of the CC&CRMD, it was revealed that the coastal erosion at Kalutara coastal stretch adjacent to the river outlet demonstrate a notable leap with approximately 30m from 2017 to 2023.
Moreover, Dr. Naleen Indika Pussella, a senior lecture at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka revealed that, Weligama bay shows the maximum accretion rate as 2.3 m/year and the maximum erosion rate as -1.93 m/year. The results show that human activities rather than natural events like climate change, sea level rise, and natural disaster conditions are the main causes. Read here
Natural and anthropogenic Processes and Events contributing to Coastal Erosion
In Sri Lanka, the strategies for managing the coastal zone started out with hard engineering techniques and later evolved to soft engineering solutions.
Many segments of the coastline are subjected to continuing retreat and accretion; some changes occurred seasonally while others are more permanent. For example, the South-West coast of Sri Lanka has been the target of a number of anthropogenic operations, such as off-shore sand mining, mega sand nourishments, and land reclamations, as a result of the country’s explosive growth. The impacts of these coastal development activities and existing measures on the prevailing coastal environment are poorly known.
The natural processes contributing to coastal erosion are as follows;
• Natural variations in the sand supply to the coast from some rivers
• Loss of sand due to breaching and wash-over of a sand berm
• Offshore sand loss during extreme wave and storm surge conditions
• Loss of sand due to presence of canyons
• Deposition of sand at sand spits and dunes
• Loss of coastal vegetation
• Tsunami, cyclones and other episodic events
• Loss of material from “nodal areas”
• Sea level rise
The Climate Change Connection
Climate change is the invisible hand accelerating this crisis. Rising sea levels, driven by melting polar ice caps and thermal expansion, are encroaching on Sri Lanka’s shores. Intensified monsoons, are battering the coastline with stronger waves and storm surges leading to the imbalance of the littoral sediment budget.
But climate change isn’t acting alone. Human activities, such as illegal sand mining, unregulated construction, and the destruction of mangroves and coral reefs, have cleared the coastline of its natural defenses. Mangroves, for instance, act as a buffer against waves and storms, while coral reefs break the force of incoming tides. Without these ecosystems, the shoreline is left vulnerable to the persistent attack of the ocean.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that Sri Lanka has lost over 50% of its mangrove cover since the 1980s, largely due to urbanization and aquaculture expansion. This loss has left coastal areas exposed to erosion and flooding. Read here
A summary of human activities and their impacts which contribute to coastal erosion are presented in table given below.
| Table: Human Activities with an Impact on Coastal Stability in Sri Lanka | ||||
| Activity | Current Status | Result | Effect on Coast | Example of Sites affected |
| Beach sand mining | Moderate | Reduction of beach sand volume available for littoral processes | Induces coast erosion | Panadura, Ahangama , Habaraduwa, Lunawa Angulana |
| River sand mining | High | Reduction of river sand supply to the beaches Salt intrusion to river upstream | Increases coastal and river bank erosion | Kelani, Nilwala, Maha Oya, Kalu Ganga, Gin ganga |
| Collecting coral from beaches and shore face | Low | Reduction of volume of beach Material, Reduction of corals to reformation and developments of naturalcoral reefs | Reduce materials to the beaches, induces coastal erosion | Rekawa, Ahangama, Habaraduwa, Hikkaduwa |
| Damaging, coral, limestone and sandstone reefs | Low | Damages to the natural barriers, creation of gaps in reefs | Increase wave energy on beaches and increase coast erosion, | Seenigama, Rekawa Uswetakeiyawa , Pitipana |
| Construction of buildings and other structures too close to the beach and on sand dunes | High | Reduction of coastal stability | Cause damages to the buildings and structures, accelerate coastal and dune erosion | Dewata, Polhena Unawatuna Hikkaduwa Uswetakeiyawa |
| Maintenance dredging in harbor basins and access channels | High | Removal of sand from the littoral budget | Induce coastal erosion on adjacent beaches | Colombo Port, Fishery harbors and anchorages |
| Removal and loss of coastal vegetation | Moderate | Reduction of coastal stability, creation of exposed areas for wind and waves | Induce dune and coastal erosion | Erosion to be expected along all sedimentary shores |
| Construction of unplanned or poorly planned rigid coastal structures | High | Reduction of coastal stability in adjacent coast | Induce of erosion or huge accretion in adjacent coast | Galle, Matara Palliyawatta, Negombo, Oluvil Harbour |
| Construction of river flow regulating structures | High | Reduction of sediment supply to the beach | Coastal erosion | Maha Oya, Deduru Oya, Nilwala ganga |
| Breaching sandbars at river and lagoon outlets | High | Reshaping the outlet | Severe erosion on adjacent coasts | Kalutara, Ginthota |
| Source: CC&CRMD 2023 | ||||
Impact on Communities and Economies
The consequences of coastal erosion are profound. Fishing villages, like Iranawila, have seen homes and community structures swallowed by the advancing sea, displacing families and disrupting traditional livelihoods. The tourism sector, a significant contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy, is also at risk. Eroding beaches and damaged infrastructure deter tourists, leading to economic downturns in regions heavily depend on tourism.
For example, a study assessed the potential environmental risk of coastline recession due to climate change along the Trincomalee coast, Sri Lanka, by the year 2110. The study found a medium environmental risk, with projected losses ranging from 0 to $11,000 per hectare of beach area if complete beach loss occurs. Read here
The psychological toll is equally Destructive. For generations, coastal communities have lived in harmony with the sea. Now, they are being forced to tackle the reality that their way of life may not survive the next generation.
Government Action and Policy Gaps
The Sri Lankan government has not been blind to the crisis. In recent years, efforts have been made to address coastal erosion through policy and infrastructure projects.
There is also a need for greater integration of climate adaptation into national policies. While Sri Lanka has committed to global climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, translating these commitments into actionable, localized plans has been slow. Funding remains a challenge, with many communities lacking the resources to implement long-term solutions.
- For instance, the Sri Lanka Climate Change Policy Framework, outlines ambitious goals for coastal protection but has struggled with implementation due to limited funding and capacity. A report by the World Bank emphasized the need for increased investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and community-based adaptation programs. Read here
- Coastal Zone and Coastal Resource Management Plan (CZ&CRMP) 2024-2029: This comprehensive plan emphasizes the conservation and sustainable management of coastal zones. It addresses issues like coastal erosion, pollution, and the impacts of climate change, aiming to balance development with environmental preservation. Read here
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Enacted through the Coast Conservation Act of 1981, ICZM seeks to harmonize various coastal activities, ensuring that development projects consider environmental impacts and promote sustainable use of coastal resources.
Beyond policy frameworks, the Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department (CCCRMD) has been implementing tangible mitigation efforts:
- Mangrove Restoration: Mangroves act as natural barriers against coastal erosion. Initiatives to restore and protect mangrove forests are in progress, involving local communities in conservation efforts. Read here
- Structural Defenses: The construction of seawalls, groynes, and breakwaters has been employed in vulnerable areas to shield the coastline from aggressive wave action. However, the effectiveness and environmental impact of these structures are subjects of ongoing research and debate. Read here
- Community Engagement: Empowering local communities through education and participation in conservation projects ensures sustainable outcomes. Programs that integrate traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques have shown promise in fostering resilience among coastal populations. Read here
However, these efforts have often been reactive rather than proactive. Seawalls, for example, are a temporary fix that can sometimes amplify the erosion in adjacent areas. Meanwhile, enforcement of regulations against illegal sand mining and unplanned development remains weak, allowing the root causes of erosion to persist.
Looking Ahead
While these efforts signify progress, the challenges posed by climate change necessitate continuous adaptation and proactive strategies. Strengthening early warning systems, enforcing sustainable coastal development regulations, and fostering international collaborations are crucial steps toward safeguarding Sri Lanka’s coastlines.
In conclusion, the situation of Sri Lanka’s eroding shores serves as a tragic reminder of the broader impacts of climate change. It underscores the imperative for collective action, innovative solutions, and unwavering commitment to preserving the delicate balance between human activities and natural ecosystems.
References:
https://www.coastal.gov.lk/images/pdf/CZMP_24-29/CZCRMP_2024_PC_ENG.pdf
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/692461/adbi-wp1240.pdf
https://www.climatechange.lk/CCS%20Policy/Climate_Change_Policy_English.pdf
https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/2011-112.pdf
https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/lk/Fast-Facts—UNDP-in-Sri-Lanka.pdf
https://www.climatechange.lk/ccs_index.html
Images/Maps:
https://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/NASA-SSH?tab=background§ions=about%2Bdata%2Bnews%2Bresources
https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap-photos-sri-lanka-fishers-031157701.html
https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/climate-change-brings-new-emergency-tamil-homeland-sri-lanka
