Navy launches mangrove planting programme in Lankapatuna

Taking another significant step towards coastal conservation, the Navy launched a mangrove planting programme in the lagoon area of Ullukkalei, Lankapatuna on 26th June 2023. The event which saw planting of 1000 mangrove saplings, was held under the patronage of Commander Eastern Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

Following the directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Sri Lanka Navy is actively involved in planting mangroves in estuaries and lagoons as part of its ongoing mangrove conservation project across all naval commands. The recent initiative was yet another milestone of the timely project, organised by SLNS Lankapatuna in the Eastern Naval Command.

Mangroves, known as the “forests of the sea,” play a vital role in coastal ecosystems and provide habitat and breeding grounds for a wide range of marine and terrestrial species.

Naval Office in Charge (Trincomalee-South) Commodore Asanga Rathugamage, a group of senior and junior officers, sailors, officials from government and non-governmental organizations in the area, school children and local residents were present on this occasion.