15 November 2024 01:27 am Views - 94
From left: Biodiversity Sri Lanka, Senior Technical Advisor Shiranee Yasaratne, Biodiversity Sri Lanka, Board Member Prof. Sandun Perera, Spa Ceylon Co-Founder & Managing Director Shiwantha Dias, and Spa Ceylon Co-Founder & Director Shalin Balasuriya
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana
Spa Ceylon, the world’s largest Luxury Ayurveda brand, announced its commitment to conserving and restoring valuable marine ecosystems surrounding Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Life to Our Coral Reefs initiative of Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL).
The announcement was made as Spa Ceylon unveiled its highly anticipated Festive Collection for 2024, titled ‘Undersea Paradise’, at One Galle Face Mall, Colombo, launched alongside the multi-sensory Undersea Paradise immersive experience, and Festive Gallery, taking place at the venue from 1st to 3rd November, all aimed at raising awareness on the conservation of coral reefs and undersea environments.
Spa Ceylon Undersea Paradise limited edition Festive Collection is inspired by the natural beauty of the ocean surrounding the country, with a vibrant undersea ecosystem, rich in rare corals and dazzling flora and fauna. According to Biodiversity Sri Lanka, marine ecosystems of the island boast an impressive variety, including over 200 stony coral species and 900 reef-associated fish species.
Coral reefs are sensitive ecologies covering less than 1 percent of the oceans in the world, that support a remarkable 25% of marine species, while providing vital services such as coastal protection, food, recreation, and livelihoods, for over thousands of years. However, challenges such as global warming, over-fishing, pollution, and unregulated marine traffic are currently threatening the long-term sustainability and survival of this precious eco-system.
Spa Ceylon Co-Founder and Group Director, Shalin Balasuriya stated, “As a brand dedicated to sustainability, conservation, and holistic wellness, we believe that our purpose extends beyond ourselves to the environments that sustain us. Over the years, Spa Ceylon has continued to champion environmental causes in our island home. Our commitment towards marine conservation is an extension of our green and ethical practices to protect our environment. By protecting coral reefs, we are investing in the health of our planet and, ultimately, our own well-being”. Spa Ceylon Co-Founder and Managing Director, Shiwantha Dias shared his thoughts, stating that, “By making marine ecosystems the inspiration for our Festive Collection this year, we will take the message of conservation to a larger audience, through our extensive global presence in over 30 countries. Each time you purchase or gift from our Undersea Paradise Festive Collection, you contribute to conserving our endangered marine eco-systems, and also towards the betterment of disadvantaged coastal communities in our island”.
Life to Our Coral Reefs (LOCR) is one of the five core focus areas of Biodiversity Sri Lanka’s LIFE Series, focusing on forests, mangroves, beaches, national parks, and coral reefs. The Life to Our Coral Reefs project has been initiated by Biodiversity Sri Lanka in partnership with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Blue Resources Trust (BRT). The LOCR initiative highlights the private sector’s commitment to protect Sri Lanka’s coral reefs and other vital blue resources, ensuring their resilience for future generations. Through the Life to Our Coral Reefs initiative, BSL is working to safeguard and protect vital coral ecosystems, with Spa Ceylon as a brand-new partner. This collaboration brings together Spa Ceylon’s global reach and BSL’s conservation expertise, amplifying efforts to secure Sri Lanka’s marine biodiversity.
Biodiversity Sri Lanka Chairperson Dilhan Fernando said, “We are honoured to partner with Spa Ceylon on this vital journey to protect our coral reefs. These ecosystems hold not only beauty, but a legacy of life essential to our oceans and communities. Everything we do as individual corporates may feel like just a drop in the ocean, but when we work together locally and globally, we can create waves of change. Through this collaboration, we hope to inspire others to protect our marine heritage for future generations and truly make an impact that lasts.”