Sri Lanka has long been at the centre of ancient maritime routes, attracting explorers, traders and invaders for centuries. As with all of mankind’s adventures, there are the inevitable misadventures - resulting in a myriad of shipwrecks dotted along the island’s seabed. They have inadvertently left us a legacy - an unrivalled and unique cultural treasure, lying in the depths of the ocean around us. 

These wrecks are part of Sri Lanka’s Maritime Heritage. They are an invaluable source of information to maritime archaeologists because they contain historical information about seafaring, warfare, and life during the period of the sinking. Sri Lanka has the largest concentration of shipwrecks, including wrecks from two World Wars, and over the years, a booming dive tourism industry has developed around these shipwrecks. From a marine ecology perspective, shipwrecks are of immense value as they become artificial reefs providing a substrate for various sedentary invertebrates to settle on and proliferate and shelter for shoals of fish that take refuge in the sunken structures. 

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society is mandated to preserve and protect the country’s wildlife and nature, including marine habitats and their inhabitants. Its Marine Committee has been active in creating awareness of the marine environment among the Society’s members and the public for some months.  Partnering with divers and maritime archaeologists in creating awareness about these rather special underwater habitats is part of its programme.
 
Speakers: 

• Arjan Rajasuriya, Coral ecologist, IUCN Marine Programme, formerly of NARA.
• Rasika Mutukumarana, Maritime Archaeologist, Maritime Archaeological Unit, Central Cultural Fund, Galle - Archaeological Heritage: The Ancient Shipwrecks.
• Dharshana Jayawardene, Technical Diver, Cave Diver and Underwater Explorer - Shipwrecks of The Age of Steam, including wartime wrecks: Tourist Magnets.
• Chathurika Munasinghe, Marine Biologist, Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya - Shipwrecks as Biodiversity Hotspots: Services to the Fishery Industry.

The monthly lecture of the WNPS is supported by the Nations Trust Bank. We are happy to recommence our physical lecture at the BMICH whilst continuing both Zoom and FB live for the benefit of the members who tuned from across the Island and the World.

The lecture is open to both members and non-members and would be delivered in English and Sinhala. Entrance is free, and WNPS kindly request the members to follow all health and safety requirements at BMICH.