Navy releases 146 sea turtle hatchlings into ocean

The Sri Lanka Navy released 146 sea turtle hatchlings at Panama beach on 21st March 2023, in a bid to save these endangered marine animal. The Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda was also in attendance on this occasion where the hatchlings were released. As part of the Turtle Conservation Project of the Sri Lanka Navy, the eggs of these hatchlings were conserved at the Turtle Conservation Unit in SLNS Mahanaga.

Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera the Navy conducts a Turtle Conservation Project in a bid to save these endangered marine species. The project ensures the conservation of sea turtle eggs and the safe release of hatchlings into the ocean. Apart from the navy-managed Turtle Conservation Centre in Panama area similar initiatives are being conducted in Mirissa, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Balapitiya, Bentota, Moragolla, Panadura, Mount Lavinia, Dehiwala, Wellawatta, Nilaveli, and Pasikuda by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The eggs of released sea turtle hatchlings were conserved by the Turtle Conservation Unit at SLNS Mahanaga in the Southeastern Naval Command. Further, the unit has thus far released 14,027 sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean, since its establishment.

Moreover, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard conserved eggs and released 10755 hatchlings into the ocean in 2022. Meanwhile, thus far in 2023 it has sent 5886 hatchlings into their natural habitat.