Climate Action Sri Lanka Project #68748

Clean Sri Lanka: Protecting Beaches from Plastic

by Save a Life

Project Report | Dec 2, 2025
Progress Report

By Jeyanthy Suntharam | Programme Manager

Monthly Report: Clean Sri Lanka: Protecting Beaches from Plastic - #68748
Project Title: Clean Sri Lanka: Protecting Beaches from Plastic
Reporting Months: July - November 2025

1. Introduction
From July to November 2025, Save a Life carried out five impactful cleanup activities across the Jaffna District. These cleanups focused on environmental preservation, plastic waste reduction, and community participation. Through collaborations with municipal councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas, and local communities, over 3,000 kg of waste was removed. A total of 391 participants including community members, youth, and sanitation workers contributed towards restoring polluted beaches, wetlands, and drainage areas.

2. Key Activities
1. Navanthurai South Manpiddy Beach & Drainage Cleanup (27 July 2025)
Collaborator: Jaffna Municipal Council
Total Waste Collected: 883 kg
Participants: 26 (14 male, 6 female, 6 sanitary workers)
Highlights: Major drainage blockages cleared; PET bottles and mixed plastic were
dominant waste types.

2. Uthayaa Sooriyan Beach Cleanup (29 August 2025)
Collaborator: VVT Urban Council
Total Waste Collected: 244 kg
Participants: 45 (32 male, 3 female, 10 sanitary workers)
Highlights: Focus on shoreline plastic removal; improved coastal cleanliness for local
fishermen.

3. Kuruvikkadu Wetland Cleanup (30 September 2025)

Collaborator: Chavakachcheri Pradeshiya Sabha

Total Waste Collected: 1,351 kg
Participants: 70 (26 male, 29 female, 15 sanitary workers)
Highlights: One of the highest waste removal events; significant quantity of mixed
waste and wetland pollution addressed.

4. Kovilkudiyiruppu Beach Cleanup (31 October 2025)
Collaborator: Chavakachcheri Urban Council
Total Waste Collected: 319 kg
Participants: 40 (17 male, 3 female, 20 sanitary workers)
Highlights: Deep cleaning of polluted coastline; restored a frequently used public
beach area.

5. Thinnavely to Palaly (KKS) Roadside & Coastal Cleanup (03 November 2025)
Collaborator: Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha
Total Waste Collected: 266 kg
Participants: 210 (120 male, 80 female, 10 sanitary workers)
Highlights: Large-scale community involvement; awareness on roadside waste
disposal conducted.

3. Challenges Faced
Mixed Waste Disposal: Large amounts of plastic and organic waste required separate handling, increasing transport and sorting delays.
Wetland Cleanup Difficulties: Kuruvikkadu area had deep sludge and waterlogged zones, slowing down operations.
Low Female Participation in Some Areas: Limited accessibility and safety concerns reduced female volunteer turnout in certain locations.

4. Impact on the Community
Environmental Restoration: Over 3 tons of plastic and other waste were removed, reducing pollution threats to marine and wetland ecosystems.
Community & Youth Engagement: High participation from local youth groups and residents strengthened community ownership.
Improved Public Spaces: Cleaned beaches and wetlands are now safer and more usable for local communities and fishermen.
Awareness Increase: Volunteers gained practical understanding of waste management and environmental protection.

5. Plans for Next
Continue cleanups in under-served coastal zones.
Strengthen partnerships with Pradeshiya Sabhas for improved waste transport.
Introduce community-led segregation points for recyclable waste.
Conduct awareness sessions in schools on responsible waste disposal.
Explore installation of PET collection cages in high-plastic areas.

6. Thank You
We extend our sincere gratitude to GlobalGiving and all donors. Your support empowers us to protect Sri Lanka’s environment and create a cleaner, healthier future for coastal communities.

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Jul 21, 2025
Monthly Action Report

By Jeyanthy Sutharam | Programme Manager

Beach clean up- Pointpedro Munai beach

1. Introduction

From February to June 2025, Save a Life carried out five impactful beach cleanups across the Jaffna District. These cleanups focused on environmental preservation, plastic waste reduction, and community awareness. We partnered with local government bodies, military personnel, academic institutions, and civil society to remove over 2.5 tons of waste from coastal areas and engage nearly 325 volunteers.

2. Key Activities

Gurunagar Beach Cleanup (Feb 9, 2025)

In collaboration with Jaffna Municipal Council, we conducted a beach cleanup at Gurunagar Beach.

Total Waste Collected: 1,411 kg
Participants: 30 (15 male, 15 female)
Highlights: Focused on removing PET bottles (561 kg) and mixed plastic waste (450 kg), this effort helped improve the fishing environment and coastal hygiene.

Mandaitivu Beach Cleanup (Mar 4, 2025)

Partnered with the 512 Infantry Brigade (Sri Lankan Army).

Total Waste Collected: 223 kg
Participants: 150 (110 male, 40 female)
Highlights: High volunteer turnout made this event a strong community-building effort in addition to an environmental initiative.

Pannai Beach Cleanup (Mar 15, 2025)

Organized with the 49th Batch of the University of Jaffna (Science Faculty).

Total Waste Collected: 126 kg
Participants: 70 (25 male, 45 female)
Highlights: Youth-led initiative emphasizing the role of students in environmental stewardship.

Point Pedro Munai Beach Cleanup (May 16, 2025)

In partnership with Point Pedro Urban Council, supported by 5 sanitary workers.

Total Waste Collected: 382 kg
Participants: 40 (19 male, 16 female + 5 Sanitation workers)
Highlights: Efforts targeted high-density plastic areas and restored part of a key tourist location.

Senthankulam Beach Cleanup (June 17, 2025)

Collaboration with Vali North Pradeshia Sabha, including 5 sanitary workers.

Total Waste Collected: 360 kg
Participants: 35 (9 male, 21 female + 5 Sanitation workers)
Highlights: Focused on heavily littered zones, with over 320 kg of plastic removed.

3. Challenges Faced

Waste Transport & Sorting: Managing and disposing of collected plastic remains a logistical issue, especially with large quantities of mixed waste.
Volunteer Management in Remote Areas: In beaches like PPT Munai, accessing and mobilizing volunteers presented difficulty due to distance and transport needs.

4. Impact on the Community

Environmental Restoration: Over 2,500 kg of plastic and other waste were removed, reducing threats to marine ecosystems and improving public health.
Youth & Institutional Engagement: Active participation by students, the military, and local councils created stronger ownership and ongoing responsibility among diverse community sectors.

Awareness Boost: Each cleanup included informal educational segments, empowering locals to continue the fight against plastic pollution beyond the events.

5. Plans for Next

Organize Plastic-Free Week Campaign with school and university partnerships.
Collaborate with waste management services to improve post-cleanup sorting and recycling.
Expand the cleanup program to include coastal education workshops in schools.
Launch a pilot project to install plastic collection bins in public beach zones..

6. Thank You

We extend our sincere gratitude to GlobalGiving and our kind donors. Your support has allowed us to turn concerned citizens into active protectors of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. Together, we are not just cleaning beaches — we are building an environmentally conscious future for our coastal communities.

Kurunagar beach clean up

Pannai Beach clean up

Mandaithivu Beach clean up

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