An islandwide coastal cleaning campaign under the theme “A Cleaner Environment with the Army – A Clean Coastline for the Nation” was launched on 29 July 2025 in collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force, under the guidance of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the Commander of the Army.
The inaugural ceremony of the campaign commenced in the morning (29 July 2025) at the Kakaduwa coastal belt, Mattakkuliya.
Approximately 600 participants, including the Additional Secretary to the President from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Mr S.P.C. Sugishwara, Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Mr Samantha Gunasekara, Army officers, as well as representatives from government and non-governmental organisations, took part in the event.
During the programme, approximately 1,340 kilometres of coastline were covered, targeting 253 locations in 14 districts across five provinces that border the sea.
The initiative was carried out with the collective effort of around 20,000 individuals, including personnel of the tri-services, the Ministry of Environment, the Marine Environment Protection Authority, government and private institutions, volunteers, civil society groups, environmental organisations, and local and international environmental enthusiasts. Their contributions enabled the collection and proper disposal of nearly 78 tons of waste.
The Sri Lanka Army extends its sincere appreciation to the Presidential Secretariat, the tri-services, the police, government departments, private organisations, youth participants, and all media institutions for their assistance in successfully conducting this endeavour.
The Army invites the public to continue supporting this national initiative, which is dedicated to preserving the beauty of the coastline for the benefit of future generations.
