Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka
The organisation
The Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) was founded in 1993 by Mr. Thushan Kapurusinghe and Mr. Peter Richardson (UK), driven by a shared passion for marine conservation. TCP began its journey in 1995 with a NORAD grant to establish a community-based marine turtle nest protection program in Rekawa, Sri Lanka. This included training local youth as environmental educators and conducting nationwide school lectures. Building on its success, TCP expanded its initiatives across Sri Lanka, promoting conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Programs included transforming turtle egg poachers into tourist guides, launching beach-cleaning initiatives, and establishing herbal medicinal gardens. TCP also sponsored primary schools in Rekawa, Kosgoda, Bundala, Panadura, and Kandakkuliya and ran extensive education and awareness campaigns along the coast.
TCP’s flagship Rekawa conservation project became financially sustainable and was handed over to the local community in 2012. Other notable projects included Dugong and seagrass conservation (2015-2017, Puttalam), coral reef protection (2018-2021, Mannar), and a Covid-19 response initiative (2021, Rekawa), all supported by UN agencies.
TCP has earned global recognition for its contributions to the environment, communities, and ecotourism. Beyond turtle conservation, TCP has pioneered mangrove restoration since 1997, planting over 150,000 mangroves. Their Mangrove Restoration & Afforestation Project seeks to restore 3,000 hectares of coastal mangroves across Sri Lanka, addressing threats like over-exploitation, aquaculture, and land development. This effort not only protects biodiversity but also supports local communities with sustainable livelihoods, eco-tourism potential, and enhanced environmental resilience.
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