New coast management law to tackle unregulated beach development and align with tourism needs

CC&CRMD Director General and senior oceanographer, Prof. Terney Pradeep Kumara 

By Tyron Devotta 

A sweeping revision of Sri Lanka’s Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department (CC&CRMD) Act is on the horizon, with a draft expected within the next few months. The new law is set to bring some sections of beach tourism under the supervision of the CC&CRMD, while introducing strict new guidelines for coastal construction, taxation on illegal structures, and a regulatory framework aimed at balancing environmental preservation with sustainable livelihoods.

In an interview with the Daily FT, the CC&CRMD Director General and senior oceanographer, Prof. Terney Pradeep Kumara, explained the rationale behind the revisions. “We are no longer just a conservation agency; we are also into coastal management. We want to create a balance between ecological integrity, tourism growth, and local community livelihoods.”

Zoning the coastline by topography

A key feature of the revised law is a more scientific and flexible approach to coastal buffer zones. Instead of a single national standard, setback limits will now vary based on topography, erosion risk, and shoreline type. For instance, in rocky areas like parts of Colombo, the coastal reservation may be as little as 10 meters from the first vegetation line, while flat, sandy regions on the east coast may require setbacks of up to 50 meters to account for future sea-level rise.

“This is based on science, not politics,” the Director General said. “We can’t fight nature. The coastline must be allowed to define itself.”

Bringing tourism into the fold

The Act will officially incorporate tourism into the CC&CRMD’s regulatory mandate, acknowledging the explosive and often unregulated growth of informal beachside tourism, particularly in the south.

“There are thousands of unauthorised constructions along the coast. Many of them are informal tourist businesses that meet real demand, but without control. They damage the environment, overrun beaches, and even enable illegal activity,” he said.

The new law aims to formalise this informal sector. Beach shacks, vendors, and small operators may be allowed to operate under a new licensing and registration scheme. For each beach, the CC&CRMD plans to define a “carrying capacity” and allocate a specific number of permits to maintain environmental and social harmony. This will also include the number of Thambili sellers.

From bulldozers to taxation

Unlike the post-tsunami laws that mandated rigid, countrywide construction bans (often ignored), the new approach is pragmatic. Existing illegal constructions will not be demolished en masse. Instead, owners may face significant taxes or penalties unless they regularise their operations.

“If we demolish every illegal structure, the coastline will look like Gaza,” the Director General remarked candidly. “We are proposing a heavy tax on structures in violation — especially commercial ones. It’s a way to bring them into a legal framework without causing social upheaval.”

This includes high-profile properties like beachfront restaurants and villas, some of which have operated for years without formal permits. The CC&CRMD is collecting data on over 2,000 such establishments islandwide, with plans to introduce tiered penalties and incentives to regularise operations.

A holistic vision: Conservation, livelihoods, and order

While enforcement is tightening, the CC&CRMD says its broader goal is not punitive but transformative. The department hopes to ensure beaches are shared spaces — safe, clean, and accessible to tourists, locals, and small entrepreneurs alike.

“There’s too much focus on the economy. We must make room for the environment and the people,” said the Director General. “Right now, many locals are suffering. A few with money, power, or political backing are profiting, but most coastal communities are left behind. That’s what this law will address.”

What comes next

A draft of the revised Act is expected within a few months, following consultations and legal vetting. It will then go to the Legal Draftsman’s Department and Parliament. Though such processes can typically take years, the CC&CRMD is pushing for an expedited timeline, citing the urgent need for better governance along the coast.

Meanwhile, the department is also coordinating with the Forest Department, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Marine Environment, Protection Agency, and the Central Environment Authority, on mangrove protection, ongoing beach mapping, informal sector registration, and policy workshops with tourism and fisheries stakeholders.

“The coast is Sri Lanka’s most valuable natural asset,” the Director General concluded. “We have one last chance to manage it sustainably — for the sea, for the people, and for the future.”