Sri Lanka, Aug. 19 -- Authorities demolished at least 22 unauthorized structures, including several beachside restaurants and cafes, along the Ahangama beach strip yesterday.

Police said the demolitions were carried out by the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management in accordance with legal procedures.

The department previously identified more than 2,500 illegal constructions across Sri Lanka's coastal zone.

Director General of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara, said the process of removing unauthorized structures had already commenced.

Under existing regulations, construction is prohibited within a zone extending 10 to 25 metres from the shoreline...