Corels in sri lanka

Sri Lanka is situated south of the Indian sub-continent between 5° and 10° north of the equator. The island has a total land area of 65,000 km2 and a coastline of about 1, 585 km of which 300 km are beaches and sand dunes (GSL, 1985, Lowry and Wickremaratne, 1989, Olsen et al., 1992). The country's land area is about 65,610 sq km and is inhabited by approximately 18 million people. The maritime area of 230,000 sq km belonging to Sri Lanka is about three times larger than the land area. The continental shelf of the country as an area of about 31,000 sq km and the width ranges from 9 to 45 km with an average depth of 66 m (Cooray, 1967).

There are fringing and offshore reefs of varying conditions around the country. These have been categorized into three main habitat types. They are the true coral habitats consisting of live coral as well as calcareous substances, sandstone and rocky habitats (Rajasuriya & De Silva, 1988; De Silva & Rajasuriya, 1989; Rajasuriya, De Silva & Ohman, 1995). According to Swan (1983) about 2% of the coastline contains nearshore fringing reefs. The growth of coral reefs around Sri Lanka is influenced mainly by the monsoons which has a major impact on the level of turbidity and fresh water input into the coastal waters. As a result extensive coral reef habitats are limited to areas with lower levels of sedimentation with semi-dry climates found in the north-western and eastern coastal areas. Coral reef development in the southwestern sector of the coastline is poor due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon and the resulting impact from sedimentation and turbidity. Fringing coral reefs also occur around some of the islands around the Jaffna Peninsula.

Scintillate TwentyTen - Hikka

It’s Summer in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka and there is no better place to celebrate it than right down here on the golden beaches Down South. With its crashing waves, clear blue waters and golden sands Hikkaduwa is party central, especially in the Summer time. Hikka2010 is for all revellers and party animals hunting down the next best thing to rock to! With a host of exclusive parties being hosted over the 30th July to 1st August weekend, there is nothing short of a great time to have in Hikkaduwa. Where the elite and locals hobnob for something out of unusual, the best of the entertainment world flies down to Sri Lanka to deliver what they are looking for and a whole lot more. With state-of-the-art lighting shows, heart-stopping dance acts and the sexiest dancers busting a move on the dance floors, Hikka2010 has brought together the world’s best performers and entertainers this year. Sri Lanka welcomes its partners French Seduction, are a world renowned international musical concept that celebrates dance, sharing and warmth in the most exotic venues of the world. French Seduction uses a blend of Music and Fashion to create timeless and festive musical programming for unique and unforgettable parties around the globe. Along with French Seduction, master spinners from party capitals of the world, such as DJ Fameluck, Miss Kiyami, DJ Majestic, DJ Mouss Mc Eklips, DJ MisoDisko and our very own DJ Tareeq will be on board to set the records straight for a perfect night out under the stars. The Coyote Girls and Fu & Keemo will burn the dance floors with their moves and certainly give you all some eye candy.

MARINE SANCTUARIES

Sri Lanka's coral reefs radiate a vibrant panorama among her picturesque ecological assets, while adding colour to its aquatic environs, corals have also proved to have their variegated scientific uses.However, due to a multitude of development activities by man, these coral reefs were recently found to be in a degraded state. In order to circumvent these hazards, two of Sri Lanka's premier coral reefs - HIKKADUWA and the BARRIER REEF, north of Kalpitiya have been declared as Marine Sanctuaries. Hikkaduwa was declared as a Marine Sanctuary in 1979, followed by the Barrier Reef in 1992, in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. This would actively inhibit wanton destruction. Therefore, only planned activities are permitted with the prior permission of the Department of Wildlife. (The activities of the Department of Wildlife are not restricted to terrestrial habitats, but includes aquatic environments too). Sri Lanka has three types of reefs. They are reefs, sandstone reefs and rocky reefs. Most are fringing reefs while there are a few barrier types reefs in the North Western coast. The former is restricted to a near shore area, while the latter expands to around six ton eight kilometers away from the shore. The Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary is situated around 96 kms south west of Colombo. It is equipped with a 1.5 km stretch of beach protected by fringing coral reefs running parallel to the coast line 100 - 150 metres off shore. The reef offers fascinatingly beautiful corals and fish, in addition to emerging as a popular bathing and swimming area.The reefs support five species of angel - fish and twelve species of butterfly fish. These fish feed on coral tentacles and coral polyps. Statistics from the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary have revealed that 18.2% of the lagoon area has live hard coral cover, 8.19% of coral rubble and 28.9% of dead corals. In this area, traditional fishing types such as angling and the use of nets are prevalent. The Barrier Reef constitutes around 90% of live coral cover. A very high bio-diversity is characteristic of this reef with over 200 species of reef fish and 80 species of corals. A grand total of 25 species of butterfly - fish have also been recorded at this reef. Spinner Dolphins - Stennela Longirostis are encountered seaward of the coral patches. Bottle-nose Dolphins- Turiops Trunctus are found in the Puttalam lagoon between the months of May and December . Sea turtles too have been found in this coral reef. A mushroom coral - Zoophilus Edinatus was detected in this area which makes it the first in the Indian Ocean.

The benefits of coral reefs lie in the scientific and educational values along with their extractive and non extractive uses. While they represent a dominant part of Sri Lanka's cultural and geographical heritage, marine biologists consider that they are among the most productive of all aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Marine biologists have shown that coral reefs, tropical sea grass beds and algal communities have productivity rates far in excess of field grasses & coniferous woodlands. An obvious outcome of coral reefs is the high productivity and ample fish life. Marine scientists have estimated that the world's fisheries potential to be around 9% of the total fish landings.Coral reefs are vital to nations which have fisheries and fishery industries and there is ample evidence to substantiate this fact from the Indo - Pacific region itself. Reef fish constitute around 25% of the total fish market landings in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

There have been numerous instances where coral reefs have acted as buffer - zones by taking on the full impact of waves, dissipating energy and blocking currents which could otherwise lead to sea erosion. In this manner, coral reefs protect valuable coast land from being eroded away. In the Indian Ocean, around 77% of the isolated land has been washed away due to corals being removed from the limestone.It is increasingly evident that the coral reef dwelling organizations such as sea - fans and other invertebrates produce biologically active chemicals which produce antibiotic, and-coagulant and anti-leukaemic properties. The science of marine pharmacology is still at its infancy and coral reefs would prove to be an ideal source of medically important compounds in the near future. The most recent development is the use of coral skeletons of dome shaped corals for bone grafts. It Is said that the blood vessels easily develop through the porous skeletons of corals.It is prudent that the general public understand and appreciate the value of Sri Lanka's inherent natural resources in order to safe guard the pristine glory of these marine sanctuaries at Hikkaduwa and Kalpitiya.