A Local Conservation Project with a Responsible Vision ♡
About Ahungalla Sea Turtle & Shark Conservation Project
Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is a local initiative on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast dedicated to protecting sea turtles through responsible conservation, education, volunteer support, beach care, and community awareness. Our mission is to help create a safer future for sea turtles while promoting ethical and meaningful conservation experiences.
Founder
Founded by Chalana Hettihandi
Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project was founded by Chalana Hettihandi, a young Sri Lankan entrepreneur from Balapitiya with a lifelong passion for animals, nature, sustainability, and responsible tourism.
From childhood, Chalana believed that tourism should not only show the beauty of Sri Lanka, but also protect its wildlife, culture, and local communities. Growing up close to the coast, he understood how deeply the ocean is connected with local life, livelihoods, and the future of Sri Lanka’s natural environment.
With this vision, Chalana founded Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project to create a space where people can learn about sea turtles, support responsible conservation, and become part of a meaningful local effort.
His goal is to build a project that welcomes international volunteers, educates visitors, supports local awareness, and encourages a more responsible way of experiencing Sri Lanka’s coastal wildlife.
Our Founder’s Vision
Chalana’s vision is simple but powerful:
To protect sea turtles and support wider marine conservation through education, responsible care, shark and ray awareness, volunteer support, community awareness, and sustainable tourism.
He believes conservation must be practical, honest, and connected to local people. A project like this should not only care for turtles, but also teach visitors why sea turtles matter, why the ocean must be protected, and how responsible tourism can support both wildlife and communities.
Through Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Chalana hopes to inspire people from Sri Lanka and around the world to take small but meaningful actions that help protect marine life.
A Wider Marine Conservation Vision
While sea turtle conservation remains the heart of the project, Chalana also wants the project to support wider marine conservation awareness in Sri Lanka. This includes shark and ray conservation education, ocean protection, plastic pollution awareness, responsible fisheries learning, and stronger respect for marine wildlife.
Sharks are often feared or misunderstood, but they are important marine animals that help maintain healthy ocean ecosystems. By adding shark conservation volunteering as a supporting program, the project gives international volunteers another meaningful way to learn about Sri Lanka’s ocean life and contribute to responsible marine awareness.
Why
Why Ahungalla?
Ahungalla is a peaceful coastal village located between Bentota and Balapitiya, close to Kosgoda, Hikkaduwa, and Galle. This area is well known among travellers for beaches, coastal beauty, turtle awareness, river experiences, and nature based tourism.
The location makes Ahungalla a suitable place for a sea turtle conservation project because it is easy to reach, close to important tourism areas, and connected to the coastal environment where turtle awareness is highly relevant.
Many travellers who visit this region are already interested in nature, wildlife, beaches, and responsible tourism. Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project gives them a chance to turn that interest into action by learning, volunteering, donating, or joining an educational visit.
Our Mission
- Our mission is to support responsible sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka through education, volunteer involvement, beach protection, turtle care support, and local awareness. We aim to:
- Protect and support sea turtles through responsible project work
- Educate visitors about sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka
- Welcome international volunteers who want to help responsibly
- Support beach cleaning and plastic pollution awareness
- Encourage ethical wildlife tourism
- Build stronger community awareness around marine conservation
- Create meaningful donation opportunities for supporters around the world
- Every part of our work is guided by respect for sea turtles, the ocean, and the local community.
Values
Our Conservation Values
Turtle Welfare First
Sea turtles are wild animals, not entertainment. Their safety, health, and natural behaviour must always come before visitor expectations.
Responsible Tourism
We believe tourism should support nature, not damage it. Visitors and volunteers should leave with better knowledge, deeper respect, and a stronger connection to conservation.
Honest Education
We want people to understand the real challenges sea turtles face. Conservation is not only about seeing turtles. It is about protecting them, their nests, their beaches, and their ocean environment.
Volunteer with Purpose
Volunteers are not here only for photos or entertainment. They are here to learn, support, help with daily tasks, and become part of a responsible conservation effort.
Local Community Support
A strong conservation project should work with the local community. Awareness, education, and local involvement are important for long term protection.
Sustainability
Our work is connected to sustainability, coastal protection, plastic pollution awareness, and responsible travel. We believe every small action matters.
Volunteer
Volunteer and Education Focus
One of the main goals of Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is to welcome people who want to learn and contribute to sea turtle protection. Our volunteer program is suitable for European gap year travellers, university students, wildlife and marine conservation learners, responsible tourists, families, school and student groups, small groups, nature lovers, and people looking for meaningful travel experiences in Sri Lanka.
Volunteers can support the project through daily activities, beach cleaning, maintenance work, awareness programs, and visitor education. No previous experience is required — what matters most is respect for animals, a willingness to learn, patience, and a positive attitude.
Supporting Responsible Tourism in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with beaches, wildlife, culture, history, and warm hospitality. But tourism must be managed with care.
Chalana’s belief is that responsible tourism can create real benefits when it protects nature, supports local people, and teaches visitors to respect wildlife.
Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is part of that vision. We want visitors to experience the beauty of Sri Lanka while also understanding the responsibility that comes with it.
By volunteering, visiting, donating, or sharing our message, you help us build a better connection between tourism and conservation.
Why Support Us?
When you support Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project, you are supporting a local Sri Lankan initiative with a clear mission to protect sea turtles and promote marine conservation. Your support helps us continue daily project work, educate visitors, welcome volunteers, clean beaches, support turtle care, and raise awareness while contributing to a young founder’s vision of building a responsible, community connected conservation project on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast.
You can support us by joining as a volunteer, visiting the project, making a birthday donation, contributing to conservation work, sharing our mission with others, joining beach cleanups, arranging student or group visits, or helping spread awareness about sea turtle protection. Every action, big or small, helps create a safer future for sea turtles.
Contact Ahungalla Sea Turtle
Contact Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project
- If you would like to volunteer, visit, donate, or learn more about the project, we would be happy to hear from you.