Beachfronts cannot be privatized by hotels or individuals

The Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management has reiterated that no hotel, resort, or private individual can claim ownership of beaches in Sri Lanka.

Speaking during a televised interview, the Department’s Director General, Professor Turney Pradeep Kumara, emphasized that beaches are public property, protected under national law, and must remain accessible to all citizens and visitors.

He explained that while hotels and private properties adjacent to the shoreline are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of their beachfront areas, this does not grant them the right to designate these stretches as “private beaches” or restrict public access.

“Even if they maintain the beach frontage, they cannot bar locals or any individual from using the area,” Prof. Kumara stated. “Unless the Defence Ministry or the Department of Wildlife Conservation has officially designated a beach area as restricted, it remains open to the public.”

The clarification comes amid growing complaints from the public that certain beachfront hotels have attempted to fence off or limit entry to coastal areas, especially in popular tourist destinations. 

Prof. Kumara stressed the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s coastal zones not only for tourism but also for environmental conservation, warning that beach encroachment and privatization could harm both public rights and marine ecosystems.