Buffer zone revised

THE Government has decided to revise the 100/200 metre buffer zone implemented for the coastal belt of tsunami affected areas following the December tsunami with immediate effect, the Government Information Department said yesterday.

Under this new set of rules envisaged by the Government, this buffer zone has been reduced to a range between 55-25 metres in the Southern districts and 100 to 500 metres in the North East.

Soon after the tsunami, Government declared a 100/200 metres strip of land as a "no build zone" along the coastal belt of Sri Lanka.

But District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries had requested the Government to revise this Buffer zone to accommodate special projects and those involved in fisheries related activities so that they can continue their livelihoods without much difficulty.

The Urban Development Ministry on the instruction of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse held discussions with relevant authorities including the affected families perceived that the 100/200 metre Buffer zone, identified along the coastal belt could be revised under the exceptional circumstances.

Accordingly the recommended stand of the Buffer zone in the district of Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota has been reduced upto the minimum of 35 metres in certain Divisional Secretaries Divisions.

The 200 metre earlier Buffer Zone introduced in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Jaffna has been reduced upto a minimum of 50 metres.