Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, yesterday, placed concrete blocks in the Hikkaduwa Marine Park, to encourage coral growth and aid conservation. The Marine Park was declared a sanctuary on May 18, 1979. It was declared a restored site in 1998 and a National Park in 2002. This site is 101 hectares in extent. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ranawaka said that those who damaged the coral reefs had been punished by the tsunami. He said that the impact of the killer waves was minimal in areas where the coral reefs were well conserved. He said his ministry had identified coral resources in Pigeon Island, Trincomalee and Puttalam that needed to be restored in a similar manner.