Written By
The Green Practice Committee (GPC) of the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), University of Kelaniya (UOK), organized a Beach Cleaning Day at Negombo Beach as part of their ongoing environmental initiatives. This volunteer-driven event focused on removing plastic debris and nurdles from the beach, fostering a sense of responsibility among undergraduates and staff. The initiative aimed not only to clean the environment but also to strengthen communication and teamwork among participants, paving the way for future environmental efforts.
All collected plastic waste was responsibly disposed of, with donations to recycling centers and proper disposal methods for non-recyclable waste. This event is aligned with the University of Kelaniya’s Green Policy, which was adopted in 2014, cementing its position as Sri Lanka’s first National Green University. The project also sought to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental preservation and responsible citizenship, with a focus on supporting groups like The Pearl Protectors, who are actively working to maintain the health and cleanliness of Sri Lanka’s coastal areas.
As a medical institute, UOK’s Faculty of Medicine has consistently been at the forefront of both public health and environmental health initiatives. The event provided practical training for participants, preparing them to serve as a task force in the event of future environmental crises, such as the Xpress Pearl disaster. By promoting volunteerism and social responsibility, this project left a lasting impact on everyone involved.
The Beach Cleaning Day was proudly supported by GHR Global as the main sponsor and Jetwing Hotels as the venue partner, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and the protection of Sri Lanka’s beautiful coastline.