More than 20 sewage outlets discharging into Beira Lake have been identified, a practice that has reportedly continued for around 40 years, Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka) S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.He made these remarks at a media briefing held yesterday (Oct. 28) at the Department of Government Information to brief the media on the “Aththama” program.

He said sewage discharge contributed to the foul smell emanating from Beira Lake.He added that the lake had also been polluted over a long period by solid waste dumped by residents living along the canals that flow into it.The Additional Secretary said it had been identified that the sewage outlets must be prevented from discharging into Beira Lake, with the sewage instead being directed through pumping stations for scientific treatment.He also said that, with the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat, around Rs. 200 million was being spent on removing sediment from Beira Lake.A clean-up programme around the lake had also been carried out jointly by the Presidential Secretariat, the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and Gangaramaya Temple, he said.However, he noted that these efforts were insufficient to restore the lake to its proper condition.

He further said that Rs. 2,500 million from an underutilized Tourism Development Fund was scheduled to be allocated this year to the CMC, the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) and the UDA.The funds would be used to eliminate sewage outlets discharging into Beira Lake and continue removing sediment and other pollutants that had accumulated in the lake.

The Additional Secretary also said that a comprehensive study would be conducted with expert guidance to determine the measures that should be implemented to address the issues affecting Beira Lake.