Help us strengthen natural barriers protecting Sri Lanka against tsunami waves, storm surges, coastal flooding and sequester atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Sri Lanka is listed as the sixth most vulnerable country to changing climatic conditions in 2020’s Climate Risk Index, it’s also one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. Today Sri Lanka is at an environmental crossroads.  As development is given priority, much of the island’s biodiversity and ecosystems are in danger of being lost, subject to degradation or fragmentation.

The Wedithalathive Nature Reserve encompasses an ecosystem of mangroves, tidal or mud flats, salt marshes, sea grass beds as well as coral reefs that provide habitats to an array of plants and animals, as well as a feeding ground and roosting area for thousands of migratory birds. This rich ecosystem comprises of the island’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, tidal flats, salt marshes, coral reefs, seagrass beds and is also known to be last refuge of the critically endangered Dugong within Sri Lankan waters. Furthermore it is also home to approximately 300 families that use this habitat to engage in artisanal fishing as their main source of income.

Currently the Sri Lankan government is trying to remove the official sanctuary status of the incredible Wedithalathive Nature Reserve, the island’s third largest ocean sanctuary. Preliminary reports have highlighted several species of endangered mangrove that could be lost forever if this ecosystem is destroyed if this is allowed to happen.

What will our Sri Lanka Ocean Sanctuary Achieve?

Together with the Lanka Environment Fund and the Blue Marine Foundation we will:

• Ensure the continued protection of the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve

• Reforest degraded mangrove habitats within or adjacent to the nature reserve

• Develop and implement a sustainable fisheries management plan

• Increase community education on the importance of this ecosystem

• Create outreach materials that describe the uniqueness of this ecosystem

• Foster environmental stewardship practices to ensure the protection and restoration of this mangrove ecosystem and ocean sanctuary.