Beach Wadiya, a beloved Colombo beachfront restaurant opened in 1974, faces demolition after a government order enforcing a 10‑metre coastal reservation. The owners argue the eatery predates the 1981 Coast Conservation Act, have filed a writ in the Court of Appeal, and won a temporary two‑week stay. The family also points to severe sea erosion—blamed in part on land reclamation near Colombo port—that has already damaged parts of the property. The case pits local heritage and tourism history against environmental regulations and shoreline safety.
Iconic Colombo Beach Shack 'Beach Wadiya' Battles Demolition in Government Coastal Clean‑Up
Sri Lanka's coastal conservation department has ordered Beach Wadiya to close, but the restaurant is taking the matter to court. (Ishara S. KODIKARA)
Beach Wadiya, a small but storied seafood shack on Colombo's shoreline that has hosted royalty and sporting legends, now faces demolition after a government coastal clean-up order.
A Short History
Opened in 1974 by Olwyn Weerasekera, Beach Wadiya ("wadiya" means "shack" in Sinhala) grew from a single beachfront eatery into a local institution praised by international reviewers and featured in travel pieces by writers such as Madhur Jaffrey. The unpretentious restaurant—no air conditioning, small tables set on the sand and a signature platter of fresh seafood cooked to order—has welcomed high-profile guests including Princess Anne, Richard Branson, Asha Bhosle, Rahul Dravid and Wasim Akram.
Government Order and Legal Response
The Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department ordered the restaurant to vacate within 10 days as part of enforcement of a statutory 10‑metre coastal reservation. Authorities say they have identified 82 premises within that buffer and are removing structures to protect the shoreline. Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi told AFP: "There shouldn't be any buildings within the 10‑metre coastal reservation from the shoreline."
Beach Wadiya is the only establishment currently resisting removal. The family argues the restaurant pre-dates the 1981 Coast Conservation Act and says it holds permits going back to 1974. They filed a writ in the Court of Appeal and have won a temporary reprieve: the court ordered the department not to demolish the restaurant for two weeks while the matter is heard.
"Beach Wadiya comes with a lot of history," said Suhara Chandrasekera, granddaughter of the founder and a director of the restaurant.
Coastal Erosion and Wider Context
Owners say the beach has narrowed dramatically since the 1970s: coconut groves have been lost and parts of the restaurant—including two huts and sections of a bathroom—have been damaged by sea erosion. Coastal experts cited by the family and local media point to large‑scale land reclamation farther north near Colombo port as a factor worsening erosion patterns along the shore.
What Comes Next
The coming weeks will determine whether Beach Wadiya can remain on the strip. If the court allows the restaurant to stay, the family says it will aim to preserve the venue's traditional, beachside character while complying with environmental and safety requirements. The dispute highlights the friction between preserving heritage and enforcing coastal protection rules amid intensifying erosion and development pressures.
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