Building Block

The government has finally approved coastal building regulations, under the Urban Development Authority(UDA), for tsunami-damaged parts of the country.







The government has finally approved coastal building regulations, under the Urban Development Authority(UDA), for tsunami-damaged parts of the country. Under latest guidelines no new construction is allowed up to 100m in the western coast and 200m in the east coast.

"Under the latest guidelines, the no-building stretch is still remaining," said Prasanna Silva, Director General, UDA.

"No building will be allowed up to 100m, from the high tide edge in the west coast, and up to 200m in the east coast," Silva.

All coastal constructions must take place beyond the no-building-zone but the UDA says repairs to existing structures will not be stopped.

"We will not encourage any new construction in the strip closest to the beach," said Silva.

The UDA submitted coastal building guidelines for government approval last week but amended the guidelines this week.

Under the latest guidelines, in the west the coast will be divided in to two strips. the first from the high tide edge