Tidal waves causing damage

Fred Silva Jinasena - Telwatta Group Corr.

Fisher families in the Hikkaduwa area are facing difficulties when fishing due to authorities’ neglect of the damage caused by huge tidal waves that regularly hit the fisheries harbour making it impossible for fishermen to take out their boats from the harbour or reach it.

They urge authorities to take measures as in previous years when a small boulder line was in place behind the Hikkaduwa public market which diverted the waves into Molpe Oya through the Hikkaduwa river making the area safe from sea erosion.

The fisher community say that the old boulder line placed prior to 1995 has been removed and the tidal waves encroach the present fisheries harbour. The fisheries harbour constructed against the major natural sea current routes in Hikkaduwa has turned into a fishing pier instead of a fisheries harbour, they say.

The waves hitting the walls of the inner jetty flow into buildings during rough seasons. The tidal waves capsized several mechanised fishing boats killing several fishermen. Neglecting this dangerous situation, the authorities concerned are dumping huge boulders and annually remove sand gathered inside the harbour, fishermen complain.