Hilton Yala Resort recently participated in Sharks International 2026, one of the world’s leading conferences dedicated to shark, ray, and marine ecosystem conservation. Held in Sri Lanka for the first time, the conference brought together over 800 researchers, conservationists, marine scientists, policymakers, and sustainability practitioners from around the world to exchange knowledge on marine biodiversity, conservation science, ecosystem management, and sustainable tourism practices.
Representing Hilton Yala Resort at the conference was Chathura Priyadarshana, Senior Ranger Specialist of the resort’s Ranger Crew, as a local grantee. Participation in the conference provided an important opportunity to engage with current scientific discussions and global conservation approaches relevant to Sri Lanka’s southern coastal and protected landscapes.
The knowledge and exposure gained through Sharks International 2026 are expected to contribute toward strengthening future conservation research, interpretation, and sustainability initiatives connected to the Yala region and surrounding coastal ecosystems. The resort aims to further support an education-through-tourism approach that encourages responsible nature experiences while promoting long-term ecological sustainability for both terrestrial and marine wildlife.
In addition to land-based wildlife experiences within the Yala landscape, Hilton Yala also facilitates a range of marine and coastal excursions along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. These include coastal ecology experiences and diving expeditions to historically and ecologically significant locations such as the Great Basses lighthouse reefs, which are known for their rich marine biodiversity, coral habitats, pelagic fish species, and historic shipwreck ecosystems. The scientific insights and conservation perspectives gained through the conference are expected to further strengthen how these experiences are interpreted and conducted responsibly, ensuring that tourism activities contribute to awareness, sustainability, and respect for fragile marine ecosystems.
“At Hilton Yala, we continuously seek opportunities to deepen our understanding of the natural environments surrounding us—not only within Yala’s wilderness, but also across Sri Lanka’s interconnected coastal and marine ecosystems,” said Gitanjali Chakravarthy, General Manager of Hilton Yala Resort. “Participation in international platforms such as Sharks International enables our Rangers’ Team to gain valuable global perspectives that can contribute to more meaningful conservation interpretation, research awareness, and educational guest experiences.”
Hilton Yala’s Ranger Department, which includes FGASA-certified and CyberTracker-qualified experts, plays an important role in delivering conservation-focused interpretation and wildlife experiences. Insights gathered through the conference are expected to support broader ecological understanding, particularly the relationship between marine systems and terrestrial ecosystems along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline.
“Wildlife interpretation should never be limited to a single ecosystem,” said Sajith Withanage, Head Ranger at Hilton Yala Resort. The ocean, coastal habitats, and wilderness landscapes are deeply interconnected. Conferences like Sharks International help expand our understanding of marine biodiversity, conservation challenges, and sustainable ecosystem management. This knowledge can strengthen future research, conservation awareness, and responsible eco-tourism initiatives connected to the Yala region.
The participation also reflects the growing importance of integrating scientific knowledge, conservation awareness, and sustainable tourism practices to create experiences that foster deeper appreciation for biodiversity while encouraging responsible engagement with nature.
