Sri Lanka's coastline dreams drowned in sea of chaos, ballooned by corruption, concrete and condoms

THE turquoise embrace of Sri Lanka’s coastline, once a source of serene pride, now feels like a tangled web of frustration, a spectacle of “chaos” that assaults the senses and stirs a deep unease within me.

- By Roy Denish

From the bustling, yet often infuriating, thoroughfare of Marine Drive to the once pristine beaches now flawed by questionable developments, littered with indifference, and tragically eroded by the relentless sea, a clear and disheartening pattern emerges: one of unchecked ambition, systemic corruption, a growing sense of alienation for the very people who call this island home, and a tangible sense of loss.

It’s difficult to stroll along our once-tranquil beachfronts without a knot forming in my stomach. The whispers of “bribes” and “corruption” are no longer gossips; they are obstreperous by the very structures that illegally creep onto the sand, by the businesses that operate with impunity while those who adhere to the law struggle. We see it in the construction projects that defy regulations, the establishments that pop up overnight, seemingly immune to the planning laws that bind ordinary citizens. This isn’t just about a few bad apples; it hints at a deeper discomfort, a systemic rot that allows wealth and influence to circumvent the very rules designed to protect our natural beauty and ensure fair play.

The bitter truth

More alarmingly, this corruption often extends to the very institutions tasked with upholding the law. The bitter truth is that instances of policemen offered pay-offs are not uncommon, creating a pervasive sense that justice is not blind, but rather, for sale. When those sworn to protect and serve instead look for illicit gains, it not only facilitates illegal beachfront constructions and operations but also erodes the fundamental trust citizens have in the State, leaving us feeling vulnerable and voiceless against the tide of illicit activity. It feels as though a blind eye, or perhaps a greased palm, has become the de facto permit for development, leaving a trail of environmental degradation and legal mysteriousness in its wake.