Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has entered into a three-year partnership (2025–2028) with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) under the Turtle and Coastal Health United Programme (TACHUP) to protect sea turtles and restore coastal ecosystems along the Colombo Port City–Mount Lavinia coastline.
Sri Lanka is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, all of which nest along this highly urbanised stretch of coastline. The initiative will focus on safeguarding turtle nesting and hatchling success, restoring coastal vegetation, strengthening citizen science and data collection, and engaging local communities, schools, and volunteers in long-term conservation efforts.
The project builds on ongoing conservation work that has already recorded more than 680 turtle visits in a single nesting season and protected over 15,900 eggs with hatching success rates exceeding 80 per cent.
Commenting on the partnership, CICT CEO Jan Zhang said, “As a gateway to global trade, CICT recognises its responsibility to protect the environment that surrounds us. This partnership with WNPS is an investment in long-term ecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, and responsible stewardship of Sri Lanka’s coastal heritage.”
The collaboration enhances Colombo’s global standing as an accredited Ramsar Wetland City and reflects CICT’s continued commitment to sustainability, environmental protection, and responsible port operations.
