The Negombo Lagoon Campaign was an effort by environmentalists and fishers in 2010 to stop the construction of a seaplane port for tourists.
Background
Promises to bring peace and economic prosperity to Sri Lanka were key parts of the 2005 Mahinda Chinthana development program. The program included a plan to build a number of seaplane airports to encourage tourism to more secluded areas of Sri Lanka such as Negombo Lagoon. Concerns about the destruction of vegetation, natural resources and water health (that would effect nearby fishers and villagers) were largely ignored. Fishers estimated that the Negombo Lagoon directly supports over 5,000 families in 35 villages and indirectly supports 4,000 families, fish sellers, collectors, repair centers, and centers for the sale of equipment.[1]
Events
The first action to protest the construction was when trade unionists, fishers, catholic priests and environmentalists gathered for a religious ceremony where they prayed for the end of the project in late 2010. Three weeks later 8,000 people rowed out hundreds of boats to prevent digging and announced they would not leave until the project was canceled. The government threatened to send in the navy to clear the blockade but eventually opted to stop the project after 10 hours of protest.[1]
Results
The campaign led to an end to the construction of the seaplane project in Negombo Lagoon.[1]