Port City vs Nature’s Small Islands

Dr Sarala Fernando

The Port City once envisaged as an artificial island now incorporated into Sri Lanka’s territory, is much in the news these days with questioning of its legal framework, financial arrangements, constitutional provisions and strategic implications. However, we, simple housewives, are asking whether the Port City will be self sufficient in utilities, water, electricity and sewerage disposal? Or will it be hooked to the CMC mains and gobble up existing resources of water and energy and add mountains of garbage and sewerage to Colombo’s woefully inadequate waste management systems? Given the limited capacity of CMC, with some areas in Colombo already complaining of low water pressure and recurrent interruption of electricity supply, will there come a time of inevitable conflict between the affluent new (mainly foreign) population in the Port City with the residents of Colombo city?

In complete contrast to all the furor and protest over the artificial island, how many of us are aware of the huge heritage assets in the many small islands and islets around our mainland? According the Kusaka Research Institute there are over 100 of these offshore small islands and islets around Sri Lanka and Jinadasa Katupotha’s comprehensive survey describes their geographic specifics. Having just compiled a new book on some of these offshore and inland small islands of Sri Lanka, published through the National Trust, it was truly amazing for the editorial team to learn of the biological diversity and unique historical, geographic and political importance of these small islands.

The northern islands in particular suggest the differences between Sri Lanka and Southern India, countering the notion of a “single cultural entity” despite the constant exchanges of people, trade and communications over the centuries past. Nagadeepa, for example, finds mention in our chronicles for a religious event of significance invoking the legendary visit of the Buddha; Neduntivu (Delft) has its own special history and legends, ancient archaeological remnants, a distinct herbal medicinal system and even centuries-old horse breeding and training traditions; Kachchativu, the ownership of which was the subject of the earliest bilateral agreement after independence resulting in the amicable settling of the maritime boundaries between India and Sri Lanka, thus represents a special mark in our foreign relations history; Mannar Island and its environs find reference in the earliest chronicles as the possible birthplace of our civilization while the ancient port of Mantai and the great trade ” Emporium” is mentioned in the earliest foreign records.

Soon after the end of the armed conflict, the IUCN Sri Lanka produced a study on the Northern islands with a view to their development taking into consideration the need for environmental safeguards and conservation of biodiversity. The assessment included 22 coastal islands, five coastal stretches and four lagoons across four districts of the Northern province. It was found that the coastal areas of the Northern province function as critical habitats for many species of fauna and flora and were rich in archaeological monuments and traditional legends. They noted pristine ecosystems, a collection of range-restricted species and several feeding areas for migrating birds as well as climate change impacts threatening inundation of part of the coastline by 2025. The report concluded with a call for Integrated planning ensuring that sensitive ecosystems and assets of concern are conserved.

Research findings in our new book also note that the impact of climate change and rising sea levels will effect Kalpitiya where several islands like Mukkale and Settukudawa are already submerged and fishermen believe that in 10 years the same fate awaits Palliyawatta island which will also impact Baththalangunduwa where drinking water is being drawn today by digging the beach. Yet our planners chose to ignore these issues and blithely approve the building of a 600 room hotel in Kalpitiya! The Navy, alone to recognize the strategic value of the small islands, is experimenting with growing mangroves to increase island size, judging by a recent article from former CDS Retd. Adm. Ravindra Wijegunaratne.

On the Indian side of Adams Bridge they are already working to address global warming impact on small islands like Vann island. If any of the islands on the Sri Lanka side of Adams Bridge will be submerged, what impact will that have on our claim of territorial sea and economic zone? Visiting Adams Bridge a few years ago and finding Bird Island deserted, we learned that the terns and gulls that once bred there in huge numbers during the migratory season, may have already realized the environmental problems with global warming and moved on to more hospitable northern areas.

The clamour of the debate in the press over the artificial island that is the Port City contrasts with the serenity of our natural small islands. So why do our planners prefer concrete highrises and frenzied leisure activities over our heritage assets where forests, rivers and beautiful nature, iconic sites and endangered species and animals demand protection? This is a new and controversial turn in our tourism history which invites tourists to visit Sri Lanka to play in foreign casinos and amusement parks; even some monstrous foreign cable car is being planned for Nuwara Eliya overriding local protests. It seems our planners are no longer interested to protect our natural surroundings, UNESCO designated heritage sites and world renowned sites like Sri Pada, conserve precious biodiversity and help save the animals, especially the elephants and marine mammals that have been living here for centuries. In so doing, they are going against the tide of world opinion and urgent calls to address the threats of global warming, climate change and species extinction, requiring sustainable approaches and conservation management – not unceasing exploitation.

(Sri Lanka: Island of islands, edited by Somasiri Devendra, Stefan D’ Silva and Sarala Fernando, published by the National Trust, Sri Lanka,2020, available at Vijitha Yapa and Barefoot bookstores)