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Oceanswell brings the ocean’s wonders ashore in Colombo
View(s):By Malaka Rodrigo
Sri Lanka’s marine conservation organisation, Oceanswell, led by Dr. Asha de Vos, recently joined hands with the Natural History Museum in Colombo to host a one-of-a-kind programme dedicated to exploring the country’s oceans. The event invited schoolchildren, families, and curious visitors to experience the depths of the marine world without leaving the city, offering a rare glimpse into both the beauty and vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s seas.
“Although Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the ocean, most people remain disconnected from it. They rarely get to witness its wonders or understand the services it provides for our survival,” explained Dr. de Vos. “We grow up seeing elephants, leopards, and rainforests because they are accessible, but the ocean is different. It isn’t practical to take large groups of people diving under the sea, so we have to be creative in how we bring the ocean to them. That is what we tried to do with this programme”.
Visitors got a rare glimpse into both the beauty and vulnerability of Sri Lanka’s seas
The initiative was designed with several key objectives in mind. Central among them was raising public awareness about the importance of the ocean and its ecosystems, which, though largely out of sight, are critical to the island’s wellbeing. Interactive sessions and exhibits highlighted the rich biodiversity beneath the waves—from coral reefs to giant marine mammals—while also drawing attention to urgent threats such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Another focus was youth empowerment. By demonstrating that careers in marine science and conservation are both achievable and urgently needed in Sri Lanka, the organisers sought to inspire the next generation of ocean professionals.
For Oceanswell, the programme reflected its broader mission of bridging the gap between science and society. By bringing research findings into a public space like the Natural History Museum, the organisation made ocean science accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday Sri Lankans. Dr. de Vos has long stressed that the sea cannot be treated as a distant backdrop. Its health, she notes, is inseparable from the country’s livelihoods, food security, tourism, and culture. “Public education is the first step in ensuring long-term stewardship,” she said, expressing gratitude to the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and Maldives, Aitken Spence Travels, and Colombo Jewellers for supporting the event.
The venue itself added a sense of wonder to the event. The programme was held beneath the towering skeleton of a blue whale, one of the Natural History Museum’s most iconic exhibits. “As a child of six or seven, I would sit beneath this giant skeleton, awed by its scale. That inspiration eventually led me to study these giants in the wild,” recalled Dr. de Vos.
The skeleton, more than a century old, has its own remarkable story. According to museum superintendent Priyangi Fonseka, the whale washed ashore in Ambalangoda in 1894. Its massive carcass, too large for conventional transport, was hauled to Colombo by double bullock cart. After being buried for a period to remove the flesh, the bones were carefully reconstructed and displayed in the main museum. Measuring an impressive 65 feet in length, the skeleton has fascinated generations of visitors.
“The main Colombo Museum opened in 1887, but the Natural History Museum was established on September 23, 1986,” explained Fonseka. “The whale skeleton was originally housed in the main museum but was moved here in 2013, once we had built a hall large enough to display it properly.” As the museum approaches its fortieth anniversary, Fonseka revealed plans to open new galleries, further enriching an experience that she describes as essential for all Sri Lankans seeking to understand their country’s natural heritage.
The programme also provided a platform to launch the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Sri Lanka Node, a national branch of the global ECOP initiative. Established under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), ECOP supports those within the first ten years of their careers in ocean-related fields. Recognised by the United Nations in 2021 as a formal network programme, ECOP aims to nurture the next generation of ocean leaders through training, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
The launch in Colombo was both symbolic and practical. Workshops were designed to build professional skills, with Dr. de Vos personally leading sessions on crafting impactful CVs and writing persuasive applications. Twenty-four young professionals participated, leaving not only with new skills but also as members of a growing network of emerging ocean leaders in Sri Lanka.
Starting in October, the team plans to host monthly webinars introducing Sri Lankan ECOPs to emerging areas of ocean science, in collaboration with regional ECOP nodes and international experts. They are also working to expand the network nationwide and establish a core team to guide its long-term vision.
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