Navy beach cleaning programmes coincide with National Marine Resources Conservation Week

On the sidelines of International Coastal Cleanup Day, a National Marine Resources Conservation Week had been declared under the theme 'Clean Sea – A Clean Beach'. Filled with overwhelming compassion towards such initiatives, Sri Lanka Navy also conducted a number of clean-up campaigns at beaches around the island.

Inaugurated on 19th September 2020 at Mount Lavinia Beach under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, beach cleaning programmes were organized at selected beaches around the country, during the National Maritime Resources Conservation Week which was held till 25th September 2020. On the instructions of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Navy made most enthusiastic attempts to fulfill this national responsibility, by way of organizing a series of beach clean-up drives in Northern, Eastern, Western, Southeastern, Northwestern, North Central and Southern Naval Commands. The voluntary contribution of naval personnel ensured unattended piles of garbage at those locations were removed, averting possible damage to the marine environment.

In addition, the Navy has been conducting a number of conservation programmes to protect marine biodiversity and marine resources. Among these programmes; recycling of plastics and polythene, plantation of mangroves, replantation of corals, prevention of illegal fishing activities to regulate the fishing industry and raising awareness among the fishing community stand prominent.