About Us
Guardians of the Ocean was established in early 2020 to educate younger generations in fishing communities across Sri Lanka about ocean conservation. We aim to inspire action through interactive learning experiences, focusing on marine biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable fishing practices. Our programs predominantly reach children across rural fishing villages, ensuring that conservation education is accessible to those most connected to the ocean.
Our Vision
To create a future where Sri Lanka’s coastal communities and ecosystems thrive together, driven by informed, passionate, and proactive ocean guardians. We envision a nation where marine biodiversity is preserved, and sustainable practices are embraced by all.
The Issue
As an island nation, Sri Lanka is deeply connected to the ocean, with over 1,700 km of coastline and a vast array of marine biodiversity, including vibrant coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. The ocean plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions, supporting over 2.6 million people directly through fisheries and tourism while also serving as a vital source of food and income for coastal communities.
Plastic Pollution
Sri Lanka ranks among the top five countries contributing to ocean plastic pollution, generating approximately 1.59 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with 15% leaking into the ocean. More than 14 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, killing over 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds annually.
Coral Reef Degradation
Over 60% of Sri Lanka’s coral reefs are damaged due to climate change, destructive fishing methods, and pollution. The ocean has absorbed 90% of global warming caused by carbon emissions, leading to rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and extreme weather patterns.
Unsustainable Fishing Techniques
Harmful fishing methods threaten marine ecosystems, particularly on Sri Lanka’s East Coast:
o Bottom trawling, a destructive practice that drags heavy nets across the seafloor, damages coral reefs and disrupts marine habitats.
o Dynamite fishing, though illegal, is still practiced in some areas, killing marine life indiscriminately and destroying underwater ecosystems.
o Ghost fishing, where abandoned nets continue trapping marine species, poses a significant threat to biodiversity.
Oil Spills and Maritime Disasters
Incidents like the MV X-Press Pearl disaster (2021) resulted in one of Sri Lanka’s worst marine environmental catastrophes, releasing toxic chemicals and microplastics into the ocean.
The Team
Niven Ganegama’s journey in community service began at the age of 11 when he founded Youth Force Sri Lanka, an initiative dedicated to empowering children in rural communities by providing free English education. Leading a team of volunteers, he helped support over 1,000 students across the island, sparking his passion for creating meaningful change.
His dedication to service was deeply inspired by his grandfather, Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, the founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka’s largest grassroots development organization. As a child, Niven actively took part in Shramadana programs, which are community-based service initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance, sustainable development, and social welfare.
Growing up surrounded by his grandfather’s teachings on selfless service and sustainability, Niven became deeply inspired to follow in his footsteps and became actively involved with Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement. He contributed to several significant projects, including serving as the Project Coordinator for the Government of Sri Lanka’s Strategy for Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT), a national initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to modernise Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. Niven also played a key role in Sarvodaya’s Emergency Relief Team (REACT), where he contributed to disaster relief efforts during crises such as flood. Additionally, he supported a UNICEF-funded initiative focused on public health and data research. Through these efforts, Niven continued his grandfather’s legacy of service while working towards sustainable development in Sri Lanka’s communities.
At the age of 13, Niven’s passion for the ocean took shape when he discovered scuba diving, an experience that exposed him to the devastating impacts of pollution, coral degradation, and climate change. Determined to protect Sri Lanka’s rich marine ecosystems, he became a certified scuba diver and traveled across the country, exploring its underwater landscapes and advocating for conservation. Niven went on to become the youngest Communications Officer for the Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club, the country’s only active scuba diving club. In this role, he amplified awareness about ocean conservation, organized community engagement programs, and led marine education initiatives. His work extends to coral restoration and marine research, serving as a Research Diver and Volunteer at the Coral Wall Diving & Research Centre, where he contributes to reef restoration through coral replanting, underwater cleanups, and biodiversity monitoring.
Niven’s work has gained both national and international recognition. He was featured in the book “Stone Soup for a Sustainable World: Life-Changing Stories of Young Heroes” alongside his grandfather, highlighting his contributions to community development and ocean conservation.
He began his education at S. Thomas’ College, before transitioning to The British School in Colombo, where he continues to pursue his studies.
As the Founder & Director of Guardians of the Ocean, Niven remains dedicated to educating and empowering young people, especially in coastal communities, to take action in protecting the marine environment. Through Guardians of the Ocean, he continues to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates, ensuring a sustainable future for Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems.
Piyal De Silva is a former Admiral and Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, as well as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Afghanistan. A lifelong advocate for ocean conservation, he has led numerous initiatives, including the transformation of the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee into a sustainable marine and terrestrial environment. His contributions extend to coral and mangrove restoration, turtle conservation, plastic recycling programs, and the establishment of artificial reefs, such as the underwater museum in Galle.
In addition to his contributions to conservation, Admiral De Silva is a certified PADI Diving Instructor, a specialist in forensic diving, and a former Sri Lanka national basketball player. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka and a Master of Science in Military Science and National Security from the National Defense University of China.
He is also the Founder of the Coral Wall Dive and Research Center in Port City, Colombo, an initiative dedicated to marine conservation, research, and sustainable diving practices.
Following his distinguished career, Admiral De Silva remains actively engaged in maritime security, climate action, and marine conservation, sharing his expertise at international seminars and forums. As a member of the Advisory Board, he will provide strategic guidance and leverage his extensive experience in marine resource management to enhance the initiative’s impact.
Indunil Hittetiya has been a dedicated member of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement since 2002 and currently serves as the Field Operations Director, overseeing 25 districts across Sri Lanka and managing a field staG of over 400 personnel. With over two decades of experience in community development, disaster response, and humanitarian coordination, he has played a vital role in strengthening grassroots initiatives that empower communities and promote sustainable development.
His extensive expertise includes search and rescue operations, disaster response, and crisis management, having received training from international partners, including the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army.
He has also contributed significantly to substance abuse prevention programs and youth empowerment initiatives. Recognized for his leadership and service, Indunil has received multiple accolades, including the Certificate of Appreciation from the PACOM Augmentation Team of the U.S. Embassy and certifications in lifesaving, search and rescue, and incident command systems (ICS).
As a member of the Advisory Board, Indunil brings his extensive field experience and crisis management expertise to support marine conservation eGorts. His guidance will strengthen the initiative’s outreach, ensuring that conservation education and sustainability programs reach diverse communities across Sri Lanka.
