A seabed clean-up operation was officially launched yesterday at Pigeon Island, off the coast of Trincomalee, aiming to improve marine safety and promote a healthier ocean environment.
The initiative focuses on removing the invasive Crown-of-Thorns starfish and harmful marine debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, which threaten coral ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
Coordinated by the Secretariat of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the operation involves multiple governmental and non-governmental organizations and aligns with World Environment Day.
Pigeon Island Marine National Park, located near Nilaveli in the Eastern Province, is a vital and vulnerable ecosystem with rich biodiversity, covering about 471 hectares mostly underwater.
The coral reefs surrounding the island face threats from illegal fishing, destructive harvesting, unregulated tourism, rising sea temperatures, and climate change impacts.
The clean-up operation was organized jointly by several organizations including MEPA, Sri Lanka Navy, IUCN, Sri Lanka Divers Association, and local authorities, with trained divers and volunteers carrying out the work.
This initiative demonstrates Sri Lanka’s growing commitment to marine conservation and emphasizes the role of every citizen in protecting ocean ecosystems.
Launched on January 1, 2025, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Clean Sri Lanka initiative aims to create a cleaner, greener, and more ethical nation by tackling environmental and social challenges.
