NELUM BUDDHADASA
COLOMBO :On January 13, 2026, The Pearl Protectors held a media briefing at the Mount Lavinia Hotel to commemorate the 5th anniversary of their Turtle Patrol Program. With five of the world’s seven sea turtle species nesting along Colombo’s urban coastline, these shores are a unique and critical conservation frontier.
The program addresses escalating threats such as poaching, environmental pollution, and harmful public interference. By utilizing ex-situ conservation strategies, The Pearl Protectors provide a controlled, secure environment for nesting and hatching. This proactive approach is essential for mitigating human impact and boosting the survival rates of these endangered species within an urban context.
Now entering its fifth year, the Turtle Patrol is a testament to the power of community action. This season, 200 specially trained volunteers will walk the sands of Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia every night from January through March. To manage such a large-scale operation, The Pearl Protectors utilize a tiered leadership system. Each nightly team is directed by a Team Leader who coordinates with a Site Leader, all under the guidance of a Volunteer Manager. This structured approach ensures that every mile of beach is monitored and every nesting turtle is protected.
2022: – Protected 7 nesting sites in 1 week
2023: – 60 volunteers, 60 days, 72 nests protected – 7,944 eggs conserved ex-situ
2024: – 130 volunteers, 90 days, 130 nests protected – 14,204 eggs conserved ex-situ
2025: – 200 volunteers, 90 days, 202 nests protected – 21,389 eggs conserved ex-situ – 50% increase in conservation success from the previous year.
The Pearl Protectors turtle patrol provides data and supports research with the objectives to: Develop a baseline database on sea turtle nesting patterns and behaviour along the western coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Identify and record anthropogenic and natural challenges that occurred during the sea turtle nesting period along the western coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Understand the correlation between urbanisation and sea turtle nesting behaviour along the western coast of
Colombo, Sri Lanka. Facilitate academic marine ecological research capabilities amongst youth and improve the integration of technology and citizen science capability on data gathering.
To educate the public and increase awareness on the importance of protection and conservation of sea turtles, The Pearl Protectors intends to support in setting up ex-situ conservation demarcated areas while setting up visibility boards in the vicinity of beaches where an increase number of beach goers visit. Both learning boards and warning boards will be placed to highlight the public of the significance of the turtle season, turtle nesting sites, conservation methods and call to action on conservation.
Founded in 2018, The Pearl Protectors is a youth-led, volunteer-based marine conservation organization in Sri Lanka. It was established by Muditha Katuwawala, an economist-turned-conservationist, following reports that highlighted Sri Lanka’s high levels of ocean plastic pollution. The organization has grown into one of the most active marine advocacy groups in the country, focusing on citizen science, plastic reduction, and habitat protection.
