SriLankan Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SriLankan Airlines, recently joined hands with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka, 100 local fishermen and 40 school children to lead an awareness and cleanup drive in the Negombo Lagoon. 

Home to some of South Asia’s richest mangrove ecosystems, Sri Lanka’s coastal forests play a vital role in protecting shorelines and combating climate change, a statement from the national carrier said.

With pollution posing a growing threat, particularly in the Gampaha and Puttalam districts, this initiative was a meaningful step in engaging future generations in environmental stewardship. 

Saminda Perera, Head of Marketing at SriLankan Airlines, explaining the significance of these collaborative initiatives, stated, “SriLankan Cares understands the importance of committing to environmental causes in partnership with our communities, conservation organisations and regulatory bodies. By fostering collaboration, we aim to protect Sri Lanka’s natural heritage in ways that also resonate with customers, who increasingly favour brands committed to sustainability.”

A crucial aspect of the programme was the participation of 40 children from Ellakkala National School, WP NG Gonsalvez College, Pamunugama and the Sunday School of St. Mary’s Church, Negombo. Educating and involving young minds today is key to nurturing environmentally responsible adults tomorrow. Together with the children, the initiative highlighted the importance of preserving mangroves, turning awareness into action to protect local ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishing communities. 

The programme also involved a collaborative research study with the Forest Department on public awareness and perceptions of mangrove ecosystems, sampling over 100 households from the area. Insights from the study will be used to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for protecting the country’s mangrove ecosystems.

SriLankan Airlines states that as the national carrier, it is uniquely positioned to lead conservation efforts. By partnering locally and internationally on strategic action and research, the airline intends to play a significant role in safeguarding the country’s biodiversity through community-driven efforts for a more sustainable future. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted to enter into the relevant agreements for the implementation of Mangrove Conservation Projects with financial grants from the Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator. 

According to the government, the Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator which invited project proposals from Commonwealth countries for mangrove conservation grants in 2023 has selected two project proposals submitted by Sri Lanka. 

Following the selection, the institute decided to give grants for the project to calculate the basic carbon sample of mangroves in Sri Lanka and the project to study early migrants in mangrove restoration and map the mangrove and seagrass intertidal zone with the help of satellite and drone technology. 

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation to implement the said projects by the Departments of Wildlife and Conservation under the supervision of the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation and to enter into the relevant agreements. (Newswire)

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