On February 17, 2024, the University of Kelaniya's Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) joined forces with the Center for Beach Cleanups, Sri Lanka, for a massive volunteer event at Crow Island Beach Park. An impressive 654 volunteers participated, representing a diverse range of organizations, including government bodies, NGOs, and higher education institutions. Mr. Lahiru Wijeyrathne, founder of the Center for Beach Cleanups, Sri Lanka, played a crucial role in organizing and guiding the team throughout the event.
Demonstrating the University of Kelaniya's commitment to environmental sustainability, over 100 undergraduates participated alongside leadership figures: Dr. Wasanthi Subasinghe (Director, CSS), Dr. Pansuji Dissanayaka (Deputy Director, CSS), Mr. Hashan Wijeshinghe (Faculty of Social Sciences representative), and Mr. Buddhika Wickramasingha (CSS Project Assistant). The enthusiastic team of volunteers collected a staggering 2,000kg of plastic, glass, rubber waste, and other debris, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to address coastal pollution. The collected waste was either responsibly recycled or handed over to the relevant authorities for proper disposal.
Beyond waste removal, the cleanup served as a platform to raise awareness of responsible citizenship among participants. By uniting over 650 individuals for a common cause, the event organizers demonstrated the transformative power of collective action in building a cleaner, healthier planet. This successful event stands as a testament to the university's role as a catalyst for positive environmental change, inspiring others to follow suit.
