Sri Lanka for the first time will certify four coastal areas as Blue Flag beaches before year end to further boost tourism, authorities said.
Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world. It is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.
A spokesperson for the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) stated that the Galle Unawatuna, Arugambay, Pasikuda and Bentota beaches will become internationally accredited Blue Flag beaches.
The MEPA is currently completing the activities related to the establishment of Blue Flag beaches in Sri Lanka, he said.
In order to accredit beaches as Blue Flag beaches, 33 criteria must be fulfilled under categories including water quality, environmental management, safety, environmental awareness and information provision.
Two officers of The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) which is the authorized agency to name Blue Flag beaches came to Sri Lanka last year to issue certificates related to the establishment of these Blue Flag beaches, at the invitation of the MEPA Chairman Asela B. Rekawa, and they participated in several field trips and conducted related awareness raising.
On the instructions of the President, matters related to the establishment of Blue Flag beaches were discussed at length at the Presidential Secretariat.
Upali Karunaratne