Cinnamon Bey Helps Preserve Beruwala Beach

Cinnamon Bey Beruwala together with the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) and Plasticcycle – the Social Entrepreneurship project of John Keells Group, partnered under MEPA’s “Beach Caretaker” programme on November 27 and committed to protect and preserve the Beruwala Beach adjoining the resort, a company news release said.

“Sri Lanka’s coastline is rich in marine biodiversity, including exotic fish species and marine mammals such as sea turtles, that depend on the beaches and shoreline for breeding. However, these unique environments and habitats have been challenged by the accumulation of plastic waste by tourism activities and holiday goers,” it said.

Plasticcycle and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts launched the first installment of the Beach Caretaker Project in Hikkaduwa in January 2020 at Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon.

The objective of the programme is to educate, create awareness and develop sustainable tourism through a series of long-term activities to preserve the beach. Activities include developing youth programmes such as “guided snorkeling” and community awareness programmes to develop more sustainable and professional business with minimum harm to the environment, while increasing awareness among visitors.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation, stated that with the general public and private sector joining hands with MEPA, the common goal of protecting the coastline and be achieved, which would be a great service to society.