COLOMBO, April 2: Following Monday’s tsunami scare which killed 11 people in a stampede that followed the evacuation, the government is considering asking institutions and families living in the coastal areas to relocate as part of a long-term plan. After the Dec 26 tragedy, the government had banned construction within 100 metres of the coast and authorities say a future decision to also ask for the relocation of existing ‘non-tsunami’ affected buildings and houses would be a ‘big step’.

The officials are battling to prevent further contingency measures affecting the tourism industry, which is chiefly located in the coastal areas. “We are likely to be forced to have a policy where existing buildings close to the coast will be required to relocate. Our problem is how we are going to prevent the tourism industry which has already suffered due to the tsunami, crumbling totally due to added tsunami precautions. In case of a mandatory relocation policy tourism might be seriously affected,” Director-General of the Urban Development Authority, K. V. Dharmasiri, said on Thursday.

He said discussions were being held with the tourism ministry officials to attempt shifting the country’s tourism inland mostly to historical sites and scenic areas in the central regions of the country.

The United National Party is sticking to its position against the 100-metre buffer zone, dismissing it as impractical, while senior adviser to President Kumaratunga, Mano Tittawela, insisted in his reports to the media that the government would not change its stance on banning all construction within the 100-metre zone.