Please Read Before Using Our Website, Visiting, Volunteering, or Donating

Terms and Conditions

Welcome to the website of Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

These Terms and Conditions explain the rules and expectations for using our website, contacting us, joining our volunteer program, visiting the project, making donations, requesting Birthday Turtle Protection Gifts, and participating in any activity connected with Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

By using this website, submitting an enquiry, visiting the project, volunteering, donating, or communicating with us, you agree to follow these Terms and Conditions.

If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, please do not use our website or participate in our project activities.

Last Updated: 7 May 2026

1. About Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is a local sea turtle conservation initiative based in Ahungalla, Sri Lanka.

Our work focuses on sea turtle conservation, responsible volunteering, visitor education, beach cleaning, awareness, turtle care support, ethical donation programs, and responsible tourism.

Contact Details

2. Use of This Website

This website is provided to share information about our project, conservation work, volunteer programs, project visits, donations, birthday donation gifts, and responsible sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka.

You agree to use this website only for lawful, respectful, and genuine purposes.

You Must Not

      Use the website for false or misleading enquiries
      Submit incorrect personal information
      Copy website content without permission
      Use the website for spam or harmful activity
      Attempt to damage, hack, or disrupt the website
      Use the project name, images, or content without approval
      Misrepresent your connection with the project

We reserve the right to refuse communication, remove access, or take action where website use is abusive, misleading, harmful, or unlawful.

3. Website Information

We try to keep all website information accurate and updated. However, project activities, volunteer availability, visit times, donation options, pricing, and program details may change.

Sea turtle conservation depends on nature, weather, seasons, safety conditions, and project needs. Therefore, some information may change without prior notice.

The content on this website is for general information only and should not be considered legal, medical, veterinary, or professional conservation advice.

4. Volunteer Program Terms

Volunteers who join Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project must follow project rules, safety guidance, responsible conservation practices, and instructions given by the local team.

Volunteer Participation

By joining the volunteer program, you understand that:

      Volunteer activities depend on project needs
      Turtle activity cannot be guaranteed
      Hatchling releases cannot be guaranteed
      Some days may involve cleaning, maintenance, education, or preparation work
      All turtle related activities must follow project guidance
      The welfare of sea turtles comes first at all times
      You must behave respectfully toward the team, visitors, community, and wildlife

Volunteer Duties May Include

      Beach cleaning
      Project cleaning and maintenance
      Visitor education support
      Awareness activities
      Simple record keeping
      Turtle care support where appropriate
      Project preparation work
      Learning sessions
      Responsible conservation support

The exact tasks may change daily.

5. Volunteer Eligibility

Volunteers may be accepted based on project availability, suitability, safety, age, health, and program requirements.

We reserve the right to accept, decline, or cancel volunteer participation if needed.

Volunteers Must

      Provide accurate information
      Follow project rules
      Respect wildlife and local culture
      Act responsibly and safely
      Avoid harmful behaviour
      Follow staff instructions
      Inform the team of any important health or safety concerns
      Have suitable travel insurance where appropriate

Volunteers under 18 years old may require permission from a parent, guardian, school, university, or approved group leader.

6. Volunteer Safety

Volunteering may involve outdoor work, beach cleaning, warm weather, physical activity, animals, water areas, and local travel.

Volunteers participate at their own risk and are responsible for their own personal safety, travel arrangements, health, insurance, and belongings unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Volunteers Should

      Wear suitable clothing
      Use sun protection
      Drink enough water
      Follow beach and ocean safety guidance
      Avoid handling animals without permission
      Use care when cleaning beaches
      Inform the team about health concerns
      Respect local conditions and community rules

Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project will take reasonable care to guide volunteers, but we are not responsible for injuries, illness, accidents, delays, travel issues, lost items, or personal decisions outside our control.

7. Project Visit Terms

Visitors are welcome by prior arrangement.

A visit to Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is an educational experience. It is not a guaranteed turtle release show or entertainment activity.

Visitors Understand That

      Sea turtle activity depends on nature
      Baby turtles cannot be guaranteed
      Turtle releases cannot be guaranteed
      Some areas may be restricted
      Visitors must follow project guidance
      Photos may be limited in sensitive areas
      Turtle welfare comes before visitor expectations

We reserve the right to refuse entry or ask visitors to leave if they behave irresponsibly, disturb animals, ignore staff instructions, or create safety concerns.

8. Responsible Conservation Rules

All volunteers, visitors, donors, and participants must respect our responsible conservation rules.

These Rules Include

      Do not touch turtles unless clearly guided by the team
      Do not pick up hatchlings for photos
      Do not disturb nesting turtles
      Do not use flash photography around turtles
      Do not make loud noise near turtle care areas
      Do not enter restricted areas without permission
      Do not request staged turtle releases
      Do not treat turtles as entertainment
      Do not litter on the beach or project premises
      Always follow project staff instructions

Failure to follow these rules may result in removal from the project without refund.

9. Hatchling Release Policy

Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project does not sell baby turtle releases as tourist entertainment.

Hatchling release depends on natural hatching time, nesting season, weather, beach safety, project guidance, and turtle welfare.

We Do Not Guarantee

      Baby turtle releases
      Exact date releases
      Birthday date releases
      Personal release activities
      Release photos or videos
      Visitor participation in releases
      Volunteer participation in releases

If hatchlings are naturally ready and conditions are safe, the project team will handle the release responsibly.

Turtle welfare always comes first.

10. Birthday Turtle Protection Gift Terms

The Birthday Turtle Protection Gift is a donation based conservation gift. It is not a purchase of a turtle, ownership of a turtle, or guaranteed baby turtle release.

By Making a Birthday Donation, You Understand That

      Your donation supports conservation work
      A digital certificate may be provided as a thank you
      The certificate is symbolic
      No turtle is owned by the donor or birthday person
      No release is guaranteed on the birthday date
      Photos, videos, or updates may not always be available
      Hatchling release depends on nature and safety conditions

We reserve the right to update donation packages, certificate designs, and supporter benefits at any time.

11. Donations

Donations help support the project’s conservation related activities, including turtle care support, beach cleaning, education, awareness, volunteer support, project maintenance, and responsible conservation work.

Donation Use May Include

      Sea turtle care support
      Beach cleaning supplies
      Project maintenance
      Visitor education
      Volunteer support
      Awareness programs
      Responsible release support when nature allows
      Future project improvements
      Operational costs connected to conservation work

Unless clearly agreed in writing, donations are used at the project’s discretion for conservation and project support needs.

12. Donation Refunds

Donations are usually non refundable because they support ongoing conservation work.

However, if a donation was made by mistake or there is a clear payment error, please contact us as soon as possible.

Refund requests will be reviewed case by case.

Birthday donation certificates, once prepared and issued, may not be refundable unless there is a clear mistake from our side.

13. Payments and Fees

Volunteer fees, visit fees, donation packages, transport support, accommodation support, or other charges may be shared with you before confirmation where applicable.

All prices, packages, and inclusions may change based on availability, project needs, exchange rates, accommodation options, group size, season, and other practical factors.

A booking, volunteer placement, visit, or donation may only be confirmed after required payment or confirmation steps are completed.

14. Cancellations and Changes

Project visits, volunteer programs, group visits, or activities may be changed or cancelled due to weather, safety concerns, turtle welfare, project needs, illness, staff availability, government regulations, natural conditions, or other reasons beyond our control.

We will try to communicate changes clearly where possible.

We Are Not Responsible For

      Flight changes
      Travel delays
      Weather disruptions
      Illness or personal emergencies
      Government restrictions
      Natural events
      Transport delays
      Missed activities due to late arrival
      No turtle activity during a visit or volunteer stay

15. Accommodation and Transport Support

Where requested, we may help suggest or arrange accommodation, meals, airport transfers, or local transport support.

Unless clearly stated, accommodation and transport may be provided by third party service providers.

We are not responsible for the actions, delays, pricing, availability, service quality, or policies of third party accommodation or transport providers.

Volunteers and visitors should confirm all inclusions and conditions before booking.

16. Health, Medical, and Travel Insurance

Volunteers and visitors are responsible for their own health, medical needs, travel insurance, medication, vaccinations, and travel preparation.

We strongly recommend that international volunteers and visitors have suitable travel insurance.

If you have health concerns, allergies, dietary needs, physical limitations, or medical conditions that may affect your participation, please inform us before joining.

We are not responsible for medical expenses, travel insurance claims, illness, injury, or personal health issues.

17. Personal Belongings

Visitors and volunteers are responsible for their personal belongings.

Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items, including phones, cameras, passports, money, jewellery, clothing, bags, or electronic devices.

Please keep your belongings safe at all times.

18. Photography and Media

Photos and videos may be allowed where appropriate, but must always follow project rules.

Photography Rules

      No flash photography around turtles
      No photos that disturb turtles
      No picking up turtles or hatchlings for photos
      No staged turtle content
      No misleading social media posts
      No photography in restricted areas without permission
      Always ask the team before close turtle photos

We may use photos, videos, testimonials, or reviews shared by volunteers, visitors, or donors for project awareness, website content, social media, or promotional purposes only when permission has been given or the content has been clearly shared for that purpose.

If you would like a photo or testimonial removed from our platforms, please contact us and we will review the request.

19. Social Media and Public Content

Volunteers and visitors are welcome to share their experience responsibly.

However, any content shared publicly should respect wildlife, the local team, other visitors, and project values.

You Must Not Post Content That

      Encourages turtle handling
      Promotes staged turtle releases
      Misrepresents the project
      Shows restricted areas without permission
      Disrespects staff, visitors, or local people
      Damages the project’s reputation with false information
      Uses project images or branding for commercial purposes without permission

We reserve the right to request removal of content that is misleading, harmful, unethical, or damaging.

20. Intellectual Property

All website content, text, images, logos, designs, page layouts, certificates, project names, and project materials belong to Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project unless otherwise stated.

You may not copy, reproduce, edit, distribute, sell, or use our content for commercial purposes without written permission.

You may share website links for awareness, education, volunteering, or donation purposes.

21. Third Party Links

Our website may include links to third party websites, payment platforms, social media pages, accommodation providers, transport providers, or partner services.

We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, security, pricing, or services of third party websites or providers.

You should review their terms and policies before using their services.

22. Limitation of Liability

Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project aims to provide a safe, responsible, and meaningful conservation experience. However, participation in visits, volunteering, beach cleaning, travel, and outdoor activities carries some level of risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project is not responsible for:

      Injury, illness, or accidents
      Loss or damage to personal belongings
      Travel delays or cancellations
      Weather related changes
      Missed activities
      Lack of turtle activity
      Third party service issues
      Emotional disappointment due to no hatchling release
      Changes in project activities
      Losses caused by inaccurate information provided by visitors or volunteers

Your participation is voluntary and at your own risk.

23. Refusal of Service

We reserve the right to refuse enquiries, bookings, visits, donations, volunteer applications, or participation where we believe there is a risk to turtles, visitors, volunteers, staff, the project, or the local community.

We may refuse or cancel participation if a person:

      Disrespects wildlife
      Ignores staff instructions
      Acts aggressively or irresponsibly
      Provides false information
      Breaks project rules
      Creates safety concerns
      Misuses the project name or content
      Promotes unethical wildlife behaviour

24. Privacy

Your personal information is handled according to our Privacy Policy.

Please read our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information related to enquiries, volunteering, visits, donations, birthday certificates, photos, and communication.

25. Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays, cancellations, changes, or failure to provide services caused by events beyond our reasonable control.

These may include:

      Bad weather
      Natural disasters
      Ocean or beach safety issues
      Illness or emergencies
      Government restrictions
      Transport disruptions
      Power or internet failures
      Project safety concerns
      Wildlife welfare concerns
      Unexpected local conditions

In such cases, we will try to manage the situation responsibly and communicate where possible.

26. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Any changes will be published on this page with the updated date. Continued use of the website or participation in project activities after updates means you accept the updated Terms and Conditions.

27. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are intended to be governed by the laws of Sri Lanka, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Any disputes should first be handled through good faith communication with Ahungalla Sea Turtle Conservation Project.

For final legal use, we recommend reviewing this page with a qualified legal professional in Sri Lanka.

28. Contact Us About These Terms

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us.