The Shincheonji Volunteer Association (SVA) and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) marked a significant milestone on Thursday as both organisations entered into a Mutual Cooperation and Promotion Agreement, reaffirming their shared commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems and supporting national recovery efforts.
Held at Wellawatte Beach, the ceremony gathered more than 150 participants, including representatives from MEPA, the Wellawatte Police, Navodaya Special Needs School, SVA leadership, and over 140 Shincheonji volunteers. The event opened with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent cyclone, setting a tone of unity and shared purpose.
Mrs Lakshmi Karunajeewa, Principal of Navodaya Special Needs School, offered heartfelt words of encouragement, expressing her gratitude for being part of the initiative and her hope to continue working together on brighter, impactful projects in the future.
This sentiment was echoed by the Chairman of MEPA, Mr Samantha Gunasekara, who emphasised the importance of the MOU in addressing both environmental and social challenges. He expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Shincheonji Volunteer Association, stressing that in the current state of the country, collaboration is essential to rebuilding the nation and restoring its natural environments.
Support for the initiative extended across institutions, as Mr Pathirana, SI of the Environment Unit at Wellawatte Police, acknowledged the value of hosting such an event in his division. He highlighted the importance of community-driven environmental action and thanked both MEPA and SVA for their coordinated efforts.
The Chairman of the Shincheonji Volunteer Association – Sri Lanka also shared the growing urgency of marine protection, affirming SVA’s commitment to continuous volunteer-driven contributions that support national development and strengthen unity across communities.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding symbolised the beginning of a long-term partnership dedicated to marine conservation, community education, and sustainable environmental practices. An Appreciation Certificate was also presented to recognise the shared mission and collaboration between the two organisations.
Following the signing, the day’s efforts moved directly into action with a coordinated Beach Clean-up Drive. Taking place simultaneously across three regions; Colombo at Wellawatte Beach, Batticaloa at Kallady Beach and Jaffna at East Ariyalai Beach. The clean-up served as a powerful demonstration of unity. A total of 210 Shincheonji volunteers participated, working together at the same time as one nationwide effort.
With environmental challenges escalating across the region, the partnership between SVA and MEPA marks a meaningful step towards uniting government institutions and community volunteers under a common purpose. Both organisations expressed eagerness to continue developing future projects that actively contribute to safeguarding and revitalising Sri Lanka’s marine and coastal ecosystems.