UN@80: Sri Lanka's youth – guardians of Mount Lavinia's coastline

On the vibrant shores of Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, young volunteers are battling plastic pollution to save their cherished ocean. Reported by Thiloththama Jayasinge, this story captures their dedication as they clean beaches and restore coral beds with gloves, bags and snorkels. "The ocean is our family; we must protect it," a youth organizer proclaims. Their efforts confront 1,500 metric tonnes of plastic entering Sri Lanka's seas annually, per the Marine Environment Protection Authority (2025). UNEP's 2025 data reveals 11 million tonnes of plastic pollute global oceans yearly, endangering 37 percent of aquatic species (IPBES, 2018). 

Coastal art installations, crafted from collected debris, transform waste into hope, as an artist notes, "Waste can be transformed." Local fishermen, among 14.6 million coastal residents, praise the youth's stewardship, critical as 66 percent of ocean areas face human impacts (IPBES, 2025). UNEP's Regional Seas Programme highlights 80 percent of marine pollution from land-based sources, emphasizing youth-led cleanups. Aligned with UNEP's call for youth-driven conservation, with 75 percent of Sri Lankan coastal communities noting marine degradation (UNEP, 2022), this movement proves small actions spark lasting change.