April 19, Colombo (LNW):On a sunny Sunday, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) facilitated the release of 82 sea turtle hatchlings into the wild at Panama beach. This conservation effort was led by the Southeastern Naval Area Commander, Rear Admiral Thushara Karunathunga, and is part of an ongoing Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) directed by SLN Commander, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.
The TCP aims to protect these vulnerable marine creatures by safeguarding their eggs and ensuring the hatchlings safely reach the ocean. This initiative is a critical step towards the conservation of sea turtles, which are considered endangered due to various threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and illegal poaching.
The released hatchlings were nurtured at the Turtle Conservation Unit at SLNS Mahanaga, under the guidance of the Southeastern Naval Command. In addition to the Panama center, similar conservation activities are carried out along Sri Lanka’s Western, Southern, and Eastern coastlines by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, demonstrating a coordinated effort to protect marine biodiversity across the nation.
