The polluted waters of Beira Lake in Colombo, Sri Lanka, are set to undergo a 2.5 billion rupee restoration project aimed at enhancing safety for swimming and water sports, as announced by authorities today. The initiative is part of an effort to address the environmental challenges faced by this colonial-era, man-made lake.

According to an official leading the cleanup task force, significant progress has been made in closing most of the 192 illegal sewage dumping points previously responsible for the lake’s foul odor. Efforts are ongoing to penalize those who continue to discharge pollutants into the iconic waterbody.

Chatura Kahadawaarachchi, Chairman of the Western Province Waste Management Authority, stated that dredging of the lake is scheduled to commence in approximately three months. This will be accompanied by the installation of water fountains and aerators to enhance oxygen levels, promoting the resurgence of inland fish species.

Kahadawaarachchi provided these updates during a ceremony held in Colombo to launch an HSBC-sponsored initiative focused on removing plastic waste and other floating debris from the lake. HSBC is funding two solar-powered boats that will be operational for a three-year cleanup period.

Mark Surgenor, HSBC’s Sri Lanka chief, affirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the Beira Lake Restoration Task Force, not only through financial contributions but also by sharing expertise from similar projects in Hong Kong. “We have committed to support the Beira Lake Restoration Task Force not just with the much-needed funding, but also by bringing best practices through our experience with similar projects in other markets that we operate in,” Surgenor stated at the ceremony, which was attended by Western Province Governor Hanif Yoosuf.

The solar-powered boats have the capacity to clear approximately 3,000 kilos of waste daily. They operate on battery power, recharged via roof-top solar panels.

When questioned about the current safety risks of coming into contact with Beira Lake, Kahadawaarachchi noted, “It is at orange, a notch below red, but what we want to do is make it safer for people.”

The state itself has been identified as one of the major polluters of the lake, with untreated sewage discharge pipes leaking into the water at three points. This has contributed significantly to the unpleasant stench that has affected residents of nearby Cinnamon Life apartments. Kahadawaarachchi confirmed that the leaking sewage line near Cinnamon Life has been repaired, and efforts are underway to address two other leaks elsewhere.

(Colombo/Jan19/2026)