The Pearl Protectors

19/10/2026

Even beneath the sands of Mannar lies a question about the future of our environment. 🌊🏝️

Today, we’re sharing an important article exploring mineral sand mining in Mannar, Sri Lanka, and the potential consequences for fragile coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, local communities, and livelihoods. 🌿🐚

As Sri Lanka explores its natural resources, understanding the environmental and social implications of large-scale extraction is essential to protecting our coastal landscapes for future generations. 💙

✍️ Written by Abdul Basith Basheer

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/%e0%ae%b5%e0%af%86%e0%ae%b1%e0%af%81%e0%ae%ae%e0%af%8d-1c-%e0%ae%9a%e0%ae%ae%e0%af%81%e0%ae%a4%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%a4%e0%ae%bf%e0%ae%b0%e0%ae%99%e0%af%8d%e0%ae%95%e0%ae%b3%e0%ae%bf%e0%ae%a9
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/h4zjFnw5LnJWge73bp8n

05/10/2026

Sri Lanka’s northern seas are home to valuable marine ecosystems and coastal communities that depend on them. 🌊🐠

This article explores the country’s new plan to establish Marine Protected Areas in the Northern Province, the threats posed by illegal and destructive fishing, and how stronger protection could support marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, local livelihoods, and eco-tourism. 🇱🇰💙

✍️ Written by Rukmi Peiris

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/a-new-hope-for-the-north-sri-lankas-bold-plan-to-protect-its-northern-seas
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/TjNM3kitsenrfrNyJt51

21/09/2026

The MV X-Press Pearl disaster left lasting scars on Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems, wildlife, fisheries, and coastal communities. 🐢🐟🏝️

This article looks at the ongoing fight for accountability and compensation, the Supreme Court’s landmark $1 billion compensation order, and why stronger action is still needed to protect our oceans from future environmental disasters. 💙♻️

✍️ Written by Rukmi Peiris

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/four-years-after-the-mv-x-press-pearl-disaster-a-fight-for-justice-thats-not-over
https://www.thesun.lk/solar_hq/Four-Years-After-the-MV-X-Press-Pearl-Disaster-A-Fight-for-Justice-Thats-Not-Over/557-305869

21/09/2026

What if the ocean could tell us how it’s changing? 🐋🌊

Humpback whale songs are more than beautiful underwater melodies; they can reveal changes in whale behaviour, ocean conditions, noise levels, and food availability. 🎶🔊

By listening to these changing songs, scientists can learn more about our oceans and help guide marine conservation. 💙

✍️ Written by Sandeepa Pushpakumara

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/the-oceans-evolving-symphony
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/KMm9xrZ7q1IOK3t9Fw9V

18/09/2026

A shoreline cleanup was organized in collaboration with Gapstars where 12 staff volunteers joined in to remove 76kg of coastal pollution from a 400m shoreline stretch in Wellawatta

40kg of collected waste was plastic, while 36kg was non plastic, non biodegradable.

All collected waste was handed over to Cleantech Pvt Ltd for recycling and incineration.

07/09/2026

Where does the plastic on our beaches come from❓

This article explores the hidden journey of plastic waste from inland communities through the Bolgoda River to Panadura Beach, and its impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. 🌊

♻️ The solution begins upstream.

✍️ Written by W.B.A. Withana

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/where-the-tide-meets-our-waste-the-hidden-journey-of-plastic-to-panadura-beach
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/E4ondEIF9im4PLolonng

31/08/2026

What happens when changes in ocean temperatures disrupt the delicate balance of marine life?🌡️🌍

Our latest article explores how El Niño can affect marine food chains, from phytoplankton and zooplankton to fish, predators, seabirds, and coral reefs, and what these changes could mean for Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. 💙

✍️ Written by Sajini Perera

Read more 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/effects-of-el-nino-on-marine-food-chains/
https://www.thesun.lk/solar_hq/Effects-of-El-Ni%C3%B1o-on-Marine-Food-Chains/557-305791

30/08/2026

245 coral species identified along the eastern province of Sri Lanka.

A Coral Conservation Centre and Laboratory has been proposed to be established in Nilaveli (Trincomalee)

A total of 245 coral species have been identified along Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline, highlighting the importance of protecting the country’s diverse marine ecosystems. ..

24/08/2026

Concerns have arisen off the coast of Galle where 16 Iranian flagged very large crude oil carriers are positioned 12nm away from the Galle harbor which are claimed to have been sanctioned by the United States.

The vessels in question have been stationed for over weeks and some over a month. The vessels are supposed to have been sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury's office of Foreign Assets Control with the ongoing undue conflict with Iran.

According to the Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation; Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku has stated that any private companies that provided them services and banks which enabled such actions ran the risk of US sanctions.

He further went onto state that the ministry doesn't have the means of knowing which vessels are sanctioned by the US Government. Usual notice of sanctioned vessels are communicated through the UN, but in this case no information is shared either by the UN or the US through its mission in Colombo.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy official, the Navy had been monitoring the vessels closely through Maritime Domain Awareness systems, but needed direction from the Government to do anything else. Further communication states that the Navy cannot do anything since the vessels are outside our territorial waters but warned that the US Navy had boarded several such tankers in international waters south of Sri Lanka and commandeered the vessels.

The situation becomes worrisome considering the unpredictable behavior of the United States where a similar incident such as the torpedo attacking IRIS DENA could unfold, which could lead to a catastrophic impact to the marine environment of Sri Lanka through a possible large scale oil spill and debris fall out.

24/08/2026

Concerning update on the recent sanctioning of Iranian oil tankers by the United States out of which most are anchored off the coast of Hikkaduwa

If the United States decides to attack any of the oil tankers similarly to the attack on IRIS Dena, Sri Lanka s Southern and western coastlines are at the risk of catastrophic impact.

US sanctions: Dozen Iranian tankers off Galle
Details👇
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/5Z4Ndxj6GnWEREe1s6vW