100th Ocean Strainer unit installed near the Wellawatte Canal

A major milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat marine pollution was marked today with the installation of the 100th Ocean Strainer floating barrier near the Wellawatte Canal, close to Havelock City in Colombo.

The initiative, launched jointly by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation and MAS Foundation for Change, aims to remove floating waste from waterways and prevent debris from reaching the ocean, thereby promoting a cleaner environment for future generations.

The Ocean Strainer project was first launched in 2020, initially centred on the Dehiwala Canal. Since its inception, the initiative has prevented more than 67,000 kilogrammes of floating waste from entering the sea.

The installation ceremony was attended by Minister of Environment Dr Dammika Patabendi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation Eng Saman Sri Seneviratne, MAS Holdings Chairman and Co-Founder Mahesh Amalean, along with representatives from government institutions, private sector organisations and non-governmental bodies.

The environment minister said that air quality, water purity and biodiversity directly impact public health, investor confidence and social stability, and have long term implications for national development. He stressed that the collaboration between public and private sector institutions represents a nationally significant responsibility.

The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation highlighted the effectiveness of public private partnerships in addressing pressing environmental challenges. He noted that the continued collaboration enables the implementation of impactful measures across the country to protect water resources and marine ecosystems for future generations.

Director of MAS Foundation for Change, Sharika Senanayake, said that while cleaning waterways is important, greater attention must be given to understanding and addressing the root causes of pollution.

She added that the Foundation remains committed to supporting the Government through awareness programmes, innovative solutions, new product development and policy support to ensure responsible waste management and a safer environment.