Save Our Beach, Welligama Sri Lanka

We were involved in a beach clean in Weligama, southern Sri Lanka. I am working at Welligama dive centre who invited us along to help clean the beach. We didn't know to expect but we're presently surprised to see around 20 locals there ready with there masks and fins. We were told to wait as the 'gorvernemnt' were coming.

After 20 minutes of sitting and joking with the group, all sweating in the mid day sun. The 'governement' arrived. We couldn't believe it when a march of 100 school kids came round the corner. They had made signs and were chanting "save our beach!". At the end of the march there were local people who worked for the environmental protect agency and local marine biologists. 

We met on the beach in a huddle and a few words were said, none of which we could understand but ended to a round of applause. Then we set of collecting any rubbish we could find. The kids and teachers on land and the rest of us in the sea. 

They end result was a huge pile of rubbish from the beach and the reef. A politician appear, eager to see what work had been done. Handshakes all round, a few snaps from the local journalist and we were done.

We then all refreshed with orange juice and a spicy bun. It was great to see such a range of people their all contributing to save the beach. A man we met told us they want to make it a national event with people all over the country helping clean the beach. We made a few good contacts who want us to help with conservation projects in Sri Lanka, exciting times!