Village That Saved Turtles: Rekawa Honours Its Conservation Heroes

COLOMBO (News 1st); For 30 years, the people of Rekawa have stood watch over one of nature's most extraordinary spectacles.

Night after night, while much of the coastline sleeps, endangered sea turtles emerge from the waters of the Sea of Sri Lanka and make their way onto the shores of Rekawa to lay their eggs. Protecting those fragile nests, safeguarding hatchlings and ensuring the survival of these threatened marine species has become more than a conservation effort. It has become part of the identity of the community itself.

That commitment was celebrated Wednesday (2) evening as the Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Project marked its 30th anniversary with a special ceremony at its conservation centre in Rekawa, where residents, conservationists and long-time supporters of the project were honoured with awards and certificates in recognition of their contribution to protecting Sri Lanka's marine wildlife.

The event highlighted not only three decades of sea turtle conservation, but also the dedication of a local community that has played a vital role in transforming Rekawa into one of the country's most important turtle nesting sites and one of Sri Lanka's most respected eco-tourism destinations.

Every year, endangered sea turtles return to the shores of Rekawa to perform the remarkable nesting ritual that has made the area internationally renowned. For three decades, conservationists, wildlife experts and villagers have worked together to protect that delicate cycle of life, ensuring that thousands of hatchlings safely begin their journey into the ocean.

The anniversary celebration brought together officials, conservation partners and community members whose efforts have helped sustain the project over the years.

Speaking at the event, Thushan Kapurusinghe of the Turtle Conservation Project emphasized the project's impact not only on turtle conservation, but also on the lives of local residents.

"Today, 28 people directly earn their livelihood through this project. But its impact goes far beyond those 28 individuals. If you travel from Netolpitiya to this area, you can clearly see how much the village has transformed over the years. There is no doubt that the growth of tourism in this community has been driven by the Turtle Conservation Project. Many tour operators tell us that after visitors witness the Kandy Esala Perahera, they come directly here. They come to Rekawa to witness, in its natural habitat, the remarkable process of sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs."

As awards and certificates were presented to individuals who have supported the conservation effort, the ceremony served as a tribute to the local people who have spent years protecting nesting beaches and preserving a natural heritage that attracts visitors from around the world.

Established three decades ago, the Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Project has grown into one of the country's most recognized wildlife conservation initiatives.

The Rekawa coastline today remains one of Sri Lanka's most important turtle nesting grounds, attracting several species of sea turtles and drawing nature enthusiasts, researchers and tourists eager to witness one of the world's most remarkable natural events.

Thirty years after the project began, the story of Rekawa is no longer only about turtles. It is also about a community that embraced conservation, helped protect an endangered species and, in doing so, changed the future of an entire village.