More turtles seek Island’s west coast to lay eggs: Wildlife DG

• More than 2,000 eggs have been buried in the western coastal line

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

More and more sea turtles are laying eggs in the western  coastal area, particularly along the Galle Face Green Coast, Wildlife  Conservation Department Director-General M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said.  

“There is a marked upward trend,” he said.  

He told the Daily Mirror that every year, turtles used to visit the coastal line for laying eggs.  

“However, there is a trend towards increased egg-laying in the Galle Face Green Coast area now,” he said.  
He said that there could be more than 2,000 eggs have been buried in the western coastal line.  

 “One of the biggest problems in Sri Lanka is human  poachers, who mishandle the eggs to sell to turtle sanctuaries or locals  as a source of food or medicine,” the Director-General said.  

The wildlife regional offices in the Western Coast area  have launched a project to conserve the area or collect the eggs from  the poachers. The Wildlife Department has launched a programme to protect the eggs, considered a resource.