Trincomalee Environmental Care Project – Irrakkandy Beach & Coral Island

Date: 03 April 2019
Location: Irrakkandy, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Project Type: Environmental Conservation & Coastal Cleanup Initiative

The Trincomalee Environmental Care Project was organised as a practical community initiative to protect the environment and encourage greater public responsibility towards Sri Lanka’s coastal ecosystems.

On 03 April 2019, our team carried out a major cleanup covering the Irrakkandy coastline and the Coral Island area in Trincomalee. Plastic bottles, discarded containers, polythene, fishing-related waste and other forms of litter were collected and removed from the coastal environment.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this initiative was the diversity of the people who participated. Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim volunteers came together for the same purpose, contributing their time and physical effort to protect a shared environment.

The experience demonstrated that environmental pollution does not belong to one community, religion or region. It is a common national challenge that requires cooperation across communities.

The project was supported by the “Matale Api” organisation, Engineer Nalaka bandata kttegoda, , members of the Muslim community including Mr. Shiraz Yunus, members of the Tamil community including Mr. Sripathi associated with the Eastern coastal conservation authorities, young volunteers from Trincomalee, and many others who contributed towards making the programme successful.

The principle behind the initiative was simple: each of us can contribute something, however small, towards protecting our country and its environment. Rather than merely telling others to protect nature, we wanted to demonstrate that responsibility through action.

The Trincomalee Environmental Care Project therefore represented more than a beach cleanup. It was also an example of environmental responsibility, volunteerism, community cooperation and unity across ethnic boundaries.

“An example through action is more powerful than advice.”

That was the spirit behind this environmental initiative.