Life style

A Voice for the Ocean: Aindri Morahela’s Journey Through All About That Reef

Published

6 months ago

2025/10/19

Thilina Walpola

At the exclusive screening of the movie Ocean

Recent exhibition highlighting fascinating marine creatures

The sea surrounds us, defines us, feeds us, and yet, so often, we take it for granted. For many Sri Lankans, the ocean is a shimmering horizon — a postcard view at sunset or the backdrop to a fisherman’s silhouette. But for Aindri Morahela, the ocean is far more intimate: it is a living, breathing entity, a fragile world of colour, movement, and rhythm that she has made it her life’s work to protect.

Through All About That Reef, a platform she founded, Aindri is reimagining how Sri Lankans see and connect with the sea. It is a project born not out of abstract environmentalism but out of love, urgency, and an insistence that marine conservation must be made accessible, relatable, and personal.

“The ocean is not just a backdrop to our island life — it is central to who we are. My goal is to make people fall in love with it again, to see its beauty, its vulnerabilities, and our role in protecting it,” Aindri tells The Sunday Island.

From Shoreline Wonder to Ocean Advocate

Growing up by the sea, Aindri’s earliest memories are of tide pools, shells, and waves that seemed endlessly patient in their rise and retreat. But what started as childhood wonder matured into an acute awareness: this ocean she loved was under threat. Coral reefs were bleaching, plastics were washing ashore, and coastal communities were struggling.

“I realised very early on that our conversations about the environment were often too technical, too distant. People couldn’t see themselves in them. I wanted to change that — to bring the ocean closer, to make its stories accessible,” she reflects.

That vision became All About That Reef, an initiative that blends science with storytelling, activism with art. Its mission is simple yet profound: to spark curiosity, shift perceptions, and nurture a culture of care for the ocean.

: Aindri and her team

: At the exhibition

Beneath the Blue: An Ocean Brought to Life

One of All About That Reef’s landmark initiatives was the “Beneath the Blue” exhibition, curated in collaboration with Parley Sri Lanka. The event was less a gallery and more a portal into the deep.

Visitors wandered through images of manta rays sweeping through turquoise waters, corals blooming like underwater gardens, and fisherfolk silhouetted against dawn. The exhibition featured the work of photographers Nick Hobgood, Manjula Wijeyeratne, and Edoardo Spacca, each lens capturing a fragment of the ocean’s infinite story.

Children painted ocean creatures in creative workshops, while guided tours by the photographers turned the exhibition into a dialogue rather than a display. For many attendees, it was the first time they truly saw the ocean — not just as a surface, but as a world beneath.

“We wanted the exhibition to have multiple entry points,” Aindri explains. “A child with a paintbrush, a diver with a camera, a fisherman with his story — all of these are ways of understanding the ocean’s heartbeat.”

Under the Ocean

The exhibition also hosted screenings of locally produced documentaries, shining a light on communities that live by the ocean. Their stories — of resilience, dependence, and vulnerability — placed conservation in a deeply human context.

The Ocean on the Big Screen

If the exhibition brought the ocean into a gallery, the free public screenings of The Ocean with Sir David Attenborough brought it onto the silver screen. Partnering with Spa Ceylon and Scope Cinemas, Aindri’s team created spaces where ordinary Sri Lankans could experience the urgency of marine conservation through the eyes of one of the world’s greatest naturalists.

Under the Ocean

For many, it was the first time seeing the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems in such breathtaking detail: whales migrating across oceans, coral reefs teeming with life, the silent tragedy of plastic choking sea turtles.

But Aindri insists the screenings were not about awe alone.

“Attenborough’s message is universal,” she says. “But we asked ourselves, how do these lessons apply here, in Sri Lanka? How do we translate them into our own realities of fishing villages, coral reefs, mangroves, and livelihoods? Every screening ended in dialogue — that was the most powerful part.”

Students debated overfishing. Parents asked about sustainable seafood choices. Policymakers who attended spoke about coastal resilience. The cinema became a classroom, the screen a mirror.

While storytelling and awareness are essential, Aindri is clear that action must accompany them. That’s where All About That Reef’s underwater dive cleanups come in.

Teams of divers descend to reefs, collecting bottles, fishing lines, and other debris that silently erode marine ecosystems. On the surface, the waste piles up in shocking testimony to human neglect.

: Exhibits

: Exhibits

“It’s not just about removing a few kilos of trash,” Aindri notes. “It’s about what that trash represents — the choices we make daily, from the plastic bottle to the discarded fishing net. The cleanup is a visual, visceral reminder.”

The cleanups often include young volunteers who, after surfacing with fistfuls of tangled plastic, walk away changed. They become advocates in their own right, carrying the ocean’s message back to their communities.

Giving the Ocean a Voice

Another strand of Aindri’s work is storytelling through sound. The All About That Reef podcast, co-hosted with Mehak Sangani, is carving out a new space for marine dialogue in Sri Lanka.

With nine episodes to date, it has featured voices as diverse as archaeologists unearthing shipwrecks, conservationists restoring mangroves, and financiers exploring sustainable blue economies. Each conversation makes the ocean personal, relatable, and immediate.

“Conservation can’t live only in research papers,” Aindri insists. “We need to tell stories that resonate. The podcast is our way of saying: here are the people shaping the ocean’s future — listen to them.”

Listeners range from university students to seasoned divers, proving that when framed through accessible storytelling, marine conservation has a wide and eager audience.

What makes All About That Reef distinctive is its embrace of culture, not just science. Aindri sees the ocean not merely as a system of reefs, mangroves, and fish stocks, but as part of Sri Lanka’s cultural DNA.

Songs of fishermen, seaside festivals, and the mythology of sea gods all speak to this deep connection. By celebrating ocean culture alongside science, Aindri is reframing conservation as part of identity, not an abstract duty.

“We are a maritime people. Our food, our festivals, even our stories are tied to the sea. If we forget that, we lose not just the ocean, but part of ourselves,” she says.

Aindri’s work is slowly building momentum. What began as a small initiative is now a platform that partners with global conservation groups while staying rooted in local communities. Her ability to infuse colour and creativity into advocacy sets her apart in a space often dominated by grim statistics and policy jargon.

And yet, she remains humble about the journey ahead.

“The ocean sustains us in ways we can’t always see — it gives us food, oxygen, livelihoods, even joy. When we care for the reef, we care for ourselves. This isn’t just conservation. It’s survival. It’s love.”

For those who have attended her exhibitions, listened to her podcast, or dived with her team, the message is clear: the ocean is not distant. It is here, it is ours, and it needs us now.

by Ifham Nizam

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Life style

Beauty of Sri Lanka in focus: Global showcase blends art, diplomacy and conservation

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

Ambassador Jovita Neliupsiene, Head of the EU Delegation to the US, and Mahinda Samarasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US, joined a special viewing of the exhibition

By Ifham Nizam

The sixth edition of the “Beauty of Sri Lanka” Photography Exhibition is set to unfold across North America this April, transforming the power of visual storytelling into a compelling platform for cultural diplomacy, environmental advocacy and nation branding.

Organised by the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society in collaboration with key diplomatic and institutional partners, including the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C., the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles and Toronto, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the exhibition will run from April 22 to May 4 across Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and Washington, D.C.

Held in conjunction with Earth Day, the exhibition continues to evolve as a globally recognised initiative that brings together art, conservation and international engagement. What began as a photography showcase has now matured into a dynamic soft-power platform that tells Sri Lanka’s story to the world—through its landscapes, biodiversity, and deeply rooted cultural heritage.

Photographers from Sri Lanka at Nigara State Park

The 2026 tour will feature prestigious venues that reflect its growing international stature. These include the iconic Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International, Metro Hall in Toronto—marking the exhibition’s debut in Canada—the Permanent Mission in New York, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C., as part of the widely celebrated Passport D.C. event. Each venue represents not only a geographic expansion but also a widening of the exhibition’s global audience and influence.

Exhibition

At its heart, “Beauty of Sri Lanka” is a vivid narrative of a nation’s natural and cultural wealth. From the mist-covered central highlands and pristine coastal belts to dense rainforests teeming with endemic wildlife, the exhibition captures Sri Lanka’s ecological richness through the lenses of talented photographers. These images serve as both an invitation to explore and a reminder of the urgent need to protect fragile ecosystems.

This year’s programme takes a significant step further by integrating real-world environmental action. The “ReTree Los Angeles” initiative, launched in line with Earth Day, focuses on tree planting, urban restoration and community engagement. It also includes a children’s painting competition aimed at fostering environmental awareness among the younger generation. Organisers believe that nurturing creativity at an early age can instil a lifelong commitment to conservation.

Adding a scientific dimension to the event, Dr. Sarath Gunapala will deliver the keynote address on “The Journey of Infrared Photography,” exploring how advanced imaging techniques can reveal unseen dimensions of the natural world. His participation highlights the exhibition’s interdisciplinary approach, where art meets science to deepen understanding and appreciation.

The exhibition will also feature a vibrant cultural segment designed to immerse international audiences in Sri Lanka’s living traditions. A carefully curated lineup of performances—including the sacred Wes Pooja, the dramatic Naga Raksha mask dance, the rhythmic Thelme ritual dance and the light-hearted Salu Paliya—will bring to life the island’s folklore, rituals and performing arts heritage. These performances are expected to add colour, rhythm and emotional depth to the visual experience offered by the photographic displays.

ASPAS President Suria Perera emphasised that the exhibition is more than a display of images. “It is a celebration of Sri Lanka’s identity—its natural beauty, its cultural vibrancy, and its responsibility to future generations,” she said. “Through photography and community engagement, we aim to inspire a deeper connection between people and the environment.”

Over the years, the exhibition has drawn a diverse audience, including diplomats, policymakers, conservationists, art collectors and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora. Its ability to connect these varied groups underscores its role as a bridge between cultures, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding while strengthening Sri Lanka’s global presence.

The continued support of diplomatic missions, cultural institutions and tourism authorities has been instrumental in elevating the exhibition’s profile. Their collaboration reinforces the role of art as a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, building partnerships and promoting sustainable tourism.

As the 2026 edition prepares to open its doors, “Beauty of Sri Lanka” stands as a testament to the island nation’s enduring appeal and its commitment to conservation. It is not merely an exhibition, but a movement—one that celebrates beauty, inspires responsibility and connects Sri Lanka to the world through the universal language of art.

Life style

Vibrant celebration of tradition and togetherness

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

This holiday season, City of Dreams Sri Lanka invites guests to step into the heart of a truly Sri Lankan celebration with Signature Avurudu—a four-day cultural experience taking place.

Blending time-honoured traditions with contemporary flair, the festivities promise to capture the spirit of the Aluth Avurudda (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) in all its colour, rhythm, and warmth. From the moment guests arrive, they will be welcomed into a space transformed with festive décor, echoing the charm of a village celebrations brought to life in the city.

At the centre of the celebration is the Pahan Pujava, a symbolic lamp lighting ceremony led by the management, setting a tone of unity, prosperity, and new beginnings. This meaningful ritual reflects the essence of the New Year—a time to pause, reflect, and step into the new year with hope and positivity.

Throughout the four days, guests can experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka through a series of traditional performances. The rhythmic beats of raban and drums, alongside vibrant dance acts, will fill the air, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and celebratory. Adding to the experience are elegantly dressed Sri Lankan hostesses, offering a warm, authentic welcome that embodies the island’s renowned hospitality.

No Avurudu celebration is complete without its flavours, and City of Dreams Sri Lanka delivers a feast to remember. Guests can indulge in an array of traditional sweets and savouries, alongside curated Avurudu-themed buffets and creative beverages inspired by local ingredients. Passing canapés and festive treats ensure there is something to enjoy at every turn—whether you’re reminiscing over childhood favourites or discovering new twists on beloved classics.

Designed as a celebration for all, Signature Avurudu brings together families, friends, and visitors from around the world to share in the joy of the season. It is a reminder that Avurudu is more than a festival—it is a feeling of togetherness, renewal, and shared happiness.

This April, celebrate the sights, sounds, and tastes of Avurudu at City of Dreams Sri Lanka—where tradition meets modern celebration, and every moment feels like home.

Life style

Thomian sailors secure many medals in India

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/12

Thilina Walpola

Thomian sailors witj official

Students of S. Thomas’ College recently demonstrated commendable performance at two international sailing events held in India: the inaugural Indian Sailing Regatta and the 4th North-East Regatta. Both events featured participation from foreign teams, including Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia, Russia, Great Britain, South Korea, Singapore, and India.

The inaugural Indian Sailing League (ISL), held at Umiam Lake, Shillong, India, marked a significant milestone in the sport and was prominently featured in The Times of India. The ISL is a first-of-its-kind franchise-based sailing league, bringing together 14 teams, 182 sailors, and 58 international participants from eight countries.

The ISL follows a concept similar to the Cricket Indian Premier League, where top sailors are “bid” and selected into franchise teams representing different regions. The competition introduced an innovative team-based format in which the best sailor from each team in each category competed, combining multiple race formats such as fleet racing, team racing, marathon races, and rig-and-race challenges. This pioneering structure, widely regarded as a first in global sailing history, has significantly enhanced the spectator appeal and competitive depth of the sport, while promoting youth, women, and high-performance sailing on a single platform.

At the first Indian Sailing Regatta, in the Boys’ Optimist category, Haren Wickramatillake secured 3rd place and was also awarded a special medal for his courage during the rig and race event. Dhiren Perera achieved 3rd place in the rig and race event alongside his team member.

At the 4th North-East Regatta, performances continued to be noteworthy. In the Main Optimist Boys category, Haren Wickramatillake was placed 6th, while Shem Fernando secured 19th place out of 32 participants. In the Junior Green Fleet Optimist Boys category, Anuruth Tennakoon achieved 2nd place and Dhiren Perera was placed 4th out of 10 participants. In the ILCA 4 Boys category, Akaine Ubayasiri was placed 11th out of 22 participants.

These achievements highlight the high level of skill, determination, and sportsmanship demonstrated by the young sailors, while also reflecting Sri Lanka’s strong presence in an emerging and globally significant sailing platform.

Upcoming international sailing events, featuring students of S. Thomas’ College, include the Asian Beach Games 2026, to be held in China ,in April 2026, and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) competition, scheduled to take place at Port City, in Sri Lanka, in December 2026. These events will provide valuable international exposure and further opportunities for the young college sailors to compete at a high level.