The Pearl Protectors

15/06/2026

What happens to the waste we throw away inland❓

In Sri Lanka, much of the pollution that reaches our oceans doesn't begin at the coast. Rivers and waterways transport plastic waste, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants from inland communities directly to the sea ⚠️

From the Kelani River to the Mahaweli River, these waterways play a major role in shaping the health of our coastal ecosystems, impacting marine life, fisheries, tourism, and the livelihoods of coastal communities 🐟🌿🏝️

💙 Protecting our oceans starts long before the shoreline.

✍️ By: Aathirai Elankovan

Read more here 👇
https://pearlprotectors.org/from-river-to-sea-how-sri-lankas-waterways-pollute-the-coast
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/DevlFHmfOIHeG0MoG8O3

15/06/2026

Our coastal environment is facing yet another new challenge from a few lucrative mineral sand mining companies.

Coastal areas such as Kirinda where all 5 species of sea turtles are nesting have been threatened of heavy mineral sand mining resulting in loss of habitat and loss in coastal vegetation.

Similar exploration licenses have been issued in Mannar, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara in some of the most sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Many other countries have heavily regulated or banned such extractions due to excessive damages caused to the coastal environment. Yet in Sri Lanka, few foreign companies are being allowed to continue with such extractions.

COLOMBO — “Cries in silence, her veins robbed by greedy hands, each grain of stolen sand buries a future beneath the lands” — these lines from the song Karunilam (‘black sand’ in Tamil), composed by the young artiste Eric Fernando, give voice to the land and people of Mannar Island, in n...

10/06/2026

Featured Article on Daily Mirror The Sun

Read the full article: https://www.thesun.lk/solar_hq/For-the-Ocean-With-Love-World-Oceans-Day-with-The-Pearl-Protectors/557-305377

10/06/2026

Myth: it is okay to touch sea turtles.

Fact: sea turtles are reptiles and belong to the wildlife. Touching them can cause them stress and some of the bacteria in our hands can negatively affect them. Holding sea turtles in captivity is both illegal and against all conservation practices. They are charismatic sea creatures that swim across oceans and return to the same beach to nest.

Follow along as we bust common ocean myths during this World Oceans week.

09/06/2026

காலி மட்டுமல்ல கொழும்புக்கும் கடலாமைகள் வருகின்றன என்று உங்களில் எத்தனை பேருக்குத் தெரியும்? இலங்கையின் மேற்கு கடற்கரையில் கடலாமைகளை காப்பது குறித்த ஓர் குறு ஆவணப்படம் இது. இந்த ஆவணப்படத்தில் The Pearl Protectors அமைப்பும் இடம்பெற்று இருக்கிறது.

08/06/2026

Announcing the Top 17 winners of the World Oceans Day Through Art 2026 - Open Category

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟑 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
1st Place - Asharya Peter
2nd Place - KD Lakshman
3rd Place - Nandali Pathirana

𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Thisaru Prabashwara
Elissa Beliketimulla ._.art
Pasan Bandara
Sehansa De Silva
Swetha DeThabrew
Yumna Salman .drawyer
Ludisha Fernando
Kouwshigan Ramiah
Anuththara Senadeera .creations
Damsarani Mediwake
Rajarathnam Sulakshana
Dharsha Samarasinha
Dilushika Lakshani
Hana Mohamed

We congratulate the top winning artists for the achievement.

All qualified 511 artwork will be exhibited through our virtual art exhibition in due course.

World Oceans Day through Art competition was conducted for the 7th consecutive year to bridge art with ocean conservation.

Check out our Facebook for all the artwork after 20th June.

08/06/2026

Announcing the Top 15 winners of the World Oceans Day Through Art 2026 - School Category

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟑 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
1st Place - Shimarya Fernando 14
2nd Place - Tharani Siriwardana 12
3rd Place - Rihana Raji 15

𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
Irdhi Thilakarathna 13
Sharon Apsara 17
Chanudi Kumarapperuma 17
Hana Imran 17
Chamathka Kalpani 18
Sethun Athugala 13
Zainab Huzefa 17
Anne Jayamanne 11
Mariyan Jayamanne 7
Pradheeksha Gunasekara 17
Yashmi Jayasinghe 14
Eshal Ijas 08

We congratulate the top winning artists for the achievement.

All qualified 511 artwork will be exhibited through our virtual art exhibition in due course.

World Oceans Day through Art competition was conducted for the 7th consecutive year to bridge art with ocean conservation.

Check out our Facebook for all the artwork after 20th June.

08/06/2026

Myth: Swimming with whales doesn't stress whales

Fact: Whales around Sri Lanka are mainly non migratory whales meaning this is their home. Encroaching their habitat and swimming alongside means these whales would get stressed resulting in whales moving away from our sea. Speed boats can also harm whales. Don't let these illegal service providers deceive you. No license or permits have been issued to any swimming with whales in Sri Lanka

Follow along as we bust common ocean myths leading upto World Oceans day 2026

06/06/2026

An island nation is defined by its coastline. What is the future of ours?

Watch this space - stay informed and speak up!