Navy receives Beach Tech Sweepy (BTS) to clean beaches

A mechanized beach cleanup programme began at the Crow Island beach, Mattakkuliya on 12th March 2023, and the Sri Lanka Navy received a Beach Tech Sweepy (BTS) machinery used for mechanized beach cleanup efforts, from the Marine Environment Protection Authority on today (25th March 2023) under the patronage of Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, officially launched a programme on 12th March aimed at reducing the environmental damage caused to the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka by the distressed X-Press Pearl vessel in 2021. The programme also involves using machinery to remove the garbage from the affected beaches which are main attractions of the tourism industry. The programme is conducted by Marine Environment Protection Authority, Department of Coast Conservation, Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Central Environmental Authority, Environmental Police, Sri Lanka Navy, and several other public and private stakeholders.

The Sri Lanka Navy is a key partner who is contributing to the preservation of the coastal ecosystem in the country. Accordingly, the Marine Environment Protection Authority handed over a BTS machinery to the Navy to augment its beach cleanup efforts and Commander of the Navy inspected the function of the machinery on this occasion. The use of such mechanical equipment for beach cleaning will enable the Navy to carry out such programmes more efficiently in the future. Thus, the Navy will be able to help create pristine beaches for the tourism industry and make them protected for future generations.

Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Retd), Deputy Chief of Staff and Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake, officials from the Marine Environment Protection Authority and Commanding Officer SLNS Parakrama were also present on this occasion.