SRI LANKA COAST GUARD TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT (CGTCP) SUCCESSFULLY INAUGURATED THE 2025/2026 SEASON

Sri Lanka Coast Guard Turtle Conservation Project (SLCG-TCP) successfully inaugurated the new season by releasing 87 Olive Ridleys baby turtles back to the ocean on 15^th November 2025, with the participation of tourists, coast guard crew, and local community at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Headquarters premises, Mirissa. The occasion was graced by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, accompanied by other Directors and Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard has been actively involved in the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) since 2016, aiming to protect sea turtle species and raise awareness about turtle conservation in Sri Lanka. SLCG currently manages eight conservation sites (Mirissa, Panadura, Wellawatta, Moragalla, Benthota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Mt. Lavenia) along the Western and Southern coastal belts.

Sri Lanka is renowned for hosting five types, including Green Turtles, Leatherbacks, Olive Ridleys, Hawksbills, and Loggerheads, which frequently visit the sandy beaches, especially in the Southern region, for nesting. The project is mainly focusing on its hatchery, providing a safe environment for collected and rescued eggs to hatch away from predators, as well as taking care of hatchlings until baby turtles are ready to go back to the sea by increasing their chances of survival during the critical early stages of life. Other than that, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard is also involved in educating fishing and coastal communities through awareness programs to ensure safer seas for these hatchlings.

By enhancing the awareness of turtle conservation and promoting this project as one of the main tourist attractions on the Southern coast, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard welcomes visitors/tourists to witness the event and provides them with a rewarding experience of releasing hatchlings back to the ocean safely. To date, SLCG-TCP has released 193,197 baby turtles to the ocean since 2016.