NATIONAL NODE -
Sri Lanka

Photo by Tomáš Malík on Unsplash

Welcome to ECOP Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, with a deep and enduring connection to the sea. From the coastlines to the central highlands, the ocean is a part of everyday life for Sri Lankans. The waters surrounding the island are vibrant, home to an incredible range of marine life – from microscopic phytoplankton to the majestic blue whale, the largest animal on Earth.

To protect this rich marine biodiversity and safeguard ocean-based livelihoods, it is vital to empower local communities, raise awareness, and build strong networks among ocean professionals. Together, we can work towards a shared vision: to save our one ocean. ECOP Sri Lanka welcomes early career ocean professionals and passionate volunteers within the first ten years of their careers in the marine sector. Join us to collaborate, learn, and lead in shaping a more sustainable ocean future.

Vision

To cultivate a thriving community of early-career ocean professionals in Sri Lanka, dedicated to advancing marine research, protecting our ocean ecosystems, empowering coastal communities, and promoting sustainable ocean use for future generations.

Mission

ECOP Sri Lanka, aligned with the vision of the UN Ocean Decade, aims to:

  • Empower and connect early career ocean professionals through collaboration, mentorship and knowledge-sharing.
  • Promote interdisciplinary marine research to support evidence-based conservation and sustainable ocean governance.
  • Raise awareness and build capacity within coastal communities to foster ocean stewardship and resilience.
  • Strengthen national and international partnerships to enhance opportunities for ECOPs and amplify their impact.
  • Advance inclusive, innovative and actionable contributions across science, policy, and practice.

What We Offer

A Connected and Inclusive ECOP Community

Join a diverse network of Sri Lanka’s early career ocean professionals. We offer a collaborative platform to grow ideas, form partnerships, and take collective action for ocean sustainability.

Professional Growth and Development

Access mentorship, training workshops, and hands-on learning to build your skills. We help you explore career paths and become a leader in the marine and coastal sector.

Knowledge Sharing & Care for the Ocean

Exchange knowledge through research, community outreach, and webinars. ECOP Sri Lanka blends scientific and traditional wisdom to support community-driven ocean conservation for a cleaner, healthier ocean.

"After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea"

– Sir David Attenborough

Photo By Udayanga Sampath

Upcoming Events

Stay tuned..!

Get ready for our upcoming webinar series on Emerging Ocean Science! Join leading researchers and experts as we explore the latest discoveries, innovations, and trends shaping our understanding of the oceans. Stay tuned—this exciting series is coming soon!

News and Updates​

Documentary screenings "Ocean with David Attenborough"
Building the next generation of Sri Lankan ocean leaders!

At the launch of the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Sri Lanka node, we conducted specialised training sessions focused on essential soft skills for career growth. Dr Asha de Vos led two inspiring courses on crafting a standout CV and writing compelling applications. The training took place during the Ocean Explorer’s Festival, organised by Oceanswell at the National Museum of Natural History, Colombo, on 23rd August 2025.

Through this initiative, we strengthened the skills of 24 young professionals and expanded the network of future ocean leaders in Sri Lanka!

Connect, Contribute, and Make an Impact!

Excited to get involved or have questions? Join us in shaping Sri Lanka’s national ECOP node! Contact us at: srilanka@ecopdecade.org / unecopsrilanka@gmail.com

Click here to register at the ECOP Sri Lanka Node

Follow us on Instagram: @ecopsrilanka

ECOP Sri Lanka National Coordinators

Lasuni Gule Godage is a Sri Lankan researcher focusing on the social dimensions of fisheries and marine conservation. She consults for the University of Plymouth on illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean, and envisages that successful ocean conservation can only be achieved by recognising the human dimensions and the needs of those most dependent on it.
Lasuni Gule Godage
Udayanga Sampath is a PhD scholar at the Ocean University of Sri Lanka with a background in IT and Ocean Science. His research uses bioacoustics to study marine mammals in the central Indian Ocean. He aims to fill data gaps in marine mammal science in Sri Lanka, establish a national bioacoustics community and support conservation across the wider Indian Ocean.
Udayanga Sampath
Gayathra Bandara is a deep-sea biologist and ichthyologist researching biodiversity in remote, fragile ocean ecosystems. His work focuses on human impacts, such as deep-sea mining, and he has spent over 100 days at sea. Beyond research, Bandara is an active science communicator and ocean advocate, raising awareness to protect deep-sea life.
Gayathra Bandara
Navodya Wijerathna, a Marine Engineering lecturer at Ocean University of Sri Lanka, specializes in sustainable maritime technologies. She researches hybrid propulsion and lithium-ion batteries to reduce vessels' carbon footprints. She also coordinates the university’s Sustainability Cell, advancing maritime environmental innovation and responsibility.

ECOP Sri Lanka Core Team Members

Imani Herath is a Research Assistant at Oceanswell and an Oceanography graduate from the Ocean University of Sri Lanka. A certified PADI Diver, and her research focuses on Fisheries Oceanography emphasising sustainable fisheries and conservation. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge and inspiring others to protect the ocean.
Imani Herath
Lead: Student ECOPs
Tharusha Neththipola is a Research Assistant at Oceanswell and with BSc & MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing. His research applies GIS to study cetacean distribution in the Southern Sea of Sri Lanka. He integrates satellite-derived parameters like sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, and oceanographic features to identify key drivers of habitat use and spatial patterns.
Tharusha Neththipola
Lead: Monitoring & Evaluation
Sagari Siyambalagoda is a Research Assistant at Oceanswell with a BSc in Aquatic Resources Technology. She has gained marine research experience through multiple scientific expeditions. She aims to support marine conservation by making conservation science accessible, particularly to underrepresented communities across diverse socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds.
Sagari Siyambakagoda
Lead: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Manuja Promodya Hendawitharana is a scientist at Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). He is an Erasmus Mundus Scholar, holding an MSc in Marine Biological Resources, where his research focused on deep-sea communities in the Galápagos. His work at NARA specializes in coral reef ecology, taxonomy, and bio-invasions.
Manuja Promodya
Lead: Research Coordinate

ECOP Sri Lanka Advisory Committee

Dr. Asha de Vos is an acclaimed Sri Lankan marine biologist, educator, and author known for pioneering blue whale research in the Northern Indian Ocean and advocating against parachute science. She founded Oceanswell, Sri Lanka's first marine conservation organization, and is the first Sri Lankan appointed as an advisor to the UN Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Asha de Vos
Dr. M.F.M. Fairoz is a Senior Lecturer and former Dean at the Faculty of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Ocean University of Sri Lanka. He holds a PhD from Shizuoka University, Japan, and degrees from the University of Ruhuna. His research expertise covers coral reef ecology, microbial oceanography, biogeochemical cycling, and marine ecosystem health.
Dr. MFM Firoz
Dr Asanka P. Sayakkara is a Senior Lecturer of Computer Science at the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC), Sri Lanka. He did his PhD in the field of Security and Digital Forensics from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland, in 2020. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Colombo in the year 2013.
Dr. Asanka Sayakkara
Dr T.W.G.F. Mafaziya Nijamdeen is a transdisciplinary researcher at the Open University of the Netherlands and a postdoctoral fellow in Horizon Europe’s BlueGreen Governance project, focusing on coastal governance. She holds a PhD in Science from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Mafaziya Nijmadeen
Mr. Susantha Udagedara specializes in marine conservation, focusing on seagrass ecology and blue carbon mapping. He helped establish World Seagrass Day, and secured over $300,000 in funding. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Environmental Management and is a certified PADI diver.
Mr. Susantha Udagedara

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Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs:

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Share Your Opportunities with Us!

Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs:

Contact Details

Please note that we will not publish or disclose your personal details on our website. We will use these in case we would need to contact you regarding this opportunity you are submitting.

Opportunity

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