Waves of hope
Vajira Samantha Fernando
Environment
Clean Water and Sanitation
UDAHAMULLA
Zone 1
Region 3
2025-08-23
Browns beach negombo
The Lions Club of Udahamulla took a step in supporting and establishing the national project, Waves of Hope Sri Lanka, a visionary initiative aimed at ocean conservation. This project was first introduced to the club by Lion Samantha Fernando, who serves as the Project Chairman. The inspiration and concept for Waves of Hope were born from the vision of his son, Jeniru Oshadha, who recognized the urgent need to protect and restore Sri Lanka’s fragile marine ecosystems. His idea was to create a long-term, sustainable platform that not only raises awareness but also drives action to preserve the country’s oceans for future generations.
Waves of Hope Sri Lanka is more than a single event; it is a comprehensive, ongoing platform designed to engage communities and youth through multiple dimensions of marine conservation. The initiative empowers children and young people to become ocean guardians, encouraging them to take leadership in ocean protection. Through awareness programs, educational activities, creative exhibitions, and research-based actions, the project seeks to inspire care and responsibility while fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
The project officially began its groundwork on July 21, 2025, when the team visited the Negombo Municipal Council to seek permission to conduct the main event at Brown’s Beach, Negombo. The request was successfully approved, setting the stage for further coordination with other stakeholders. On the same day, the team visited the Sri Lanka Navy base in Negombo to inform them about the planned exhibition. The Navy advised them to formally approach the Coast Guard Office in Wellawatte and the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters to ensure proper authorization. With these discussions, they gained crucial confirmations from both entities, paving the way for smooth event planning.
On July 26, 2025, a strategic meeting was held with the Leo Club of Raththanapitiya and the Lions Club of Udahamulla to discuss the next steps. The Leo Club of Raththanapitiya came on board as the official youth partner, strengthening the project’s foundation with vibrant youth engagement. By July 31, 2025, significant progress was made when the team received the approval letter from the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department. Formal communications were also sent to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the National Aquatic Resources and Development Agency (NARA), and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to keep them informed and involved in the initiative. A critical milestone occurred on August 4, 2025, when a field visit was conducted underwater to capture photographs that would later form the core of the exhibition under the guidance of IUCN. By August 6, the team had secured MEPA’s official approval and submitted a request to the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to conduct an awareness program for school students. This program would also include the distribution of promotional materials for the exhibition day. The team then visited the Negombo Police Station to obtain the necessary approvals for the event and conducted an on-site visit to finalize the exact exhibition location. On this same day, the NARA approval letter was received, adding another layer of official support. In preparation for strong community participation, the team embarked on a school and church outreach campaign on August 7, 2025. Invitations were personally delivered to 10 schools and 5 churches within the Negombo region, ensuring diverse community engagement.
To broaden awareness, the project team appeared on several television programs, including Swarnavahini, Rupavahini, TV Derana, and Siyatha, to highlight the importance of marine conservation and share details of the upcoming exhibition. These programs were attended by prominent figures such as Professor Tirny Pradeep Kumara, Director General of the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department; Lion Gaya Upasena, Lions District Governor 306 D7; and Lion Asanka Wijewardane, Environment Head of Lions District 306 D7, among others. Explore Sri Lankan magazine also published a special article on this project.
The culmination of these efforts was witnessed on August 23, 2025, when the photography exhibition was held at Brown’s Beach, Negombo. The event attracted over 200 participants, making it a resounding success. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Past International President Mahendra Amarasuriya, whose presence added immense prestige to the event. Other distinguished attendees included District Governor Gaya Upasena (306 D7), Past International Director Sanjay Khetan, PCC Lion Lasantha Perera, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Sunil Watagala, and senior representatives from key government institutions such as the Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management Department and NARA. Experts like Ms. S. H. Udeshika Chathurani from NARA’s Kadolkele Regional Research Center and coral reef specialist Mr. Dehan Nanayakkara also participated, along with Leo District President 306 D10 Leo Harishanthan Shiva and former minister Samurdi R.A.D. Sirisena. The project was fully guided by IUCN and central environment authority conducted the awareness session. UNGC, UNICEF & UNESCO aided in the supporting project. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority provided a special approval to conduct this project in this tourist attraction area. It was highlighted the participation of the representatives from the ministry of Environment at the event aswell. The projected was mainly financially supported by KANGARA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. Santodora hospital provided a special ambulence service. A Considerable amount of members from the host Lions club attended as well.
The exhibition not only celebrated the beauty of Sri Lanka’s underwater ecosystems through powerful imagery but also catalyzed education and action. It brought together government agencies, conservation experts, community leaders, and passionate youth, laying the foundation for future Waves of Hope initiatives. This event marked the beginning of a transformative journey, uniting generations in a shared mission to protect Sri Lanka’s oceans.
250
2400 hour(s)
Palitha Gamage
2025-09-17 01:11:04
2025-09-17 01:11:04
2, 000, 000.00 LKR
Active
Approved