Business

ISRAs of Sri Lanka – Protecting Hidden Shark and Ray Hotspots

Published

6 months ago

2026/03/22

Palk Bay ISRA

When you think of sharks in Sri Lanka, your mind probably goes to the sleek blacktip reef sharks gliding through the reefs of Pigeon Island. But what most people don’t realise is that Sri Lanka is home to over 100 species of sharks and rays—ranging from reef dwellers and open-ocean giants to mysterious deep-sea, with some juvenile bull sharks being found even in freshwater!. They’re scattered across almost every part of the coastline, from coral reefs and estuaries to muddy lagoons and inland waterways. Yet despite their presence, these fascinating creatures remain deeply misunderstood and largely unprotected in national conservation efforts.

Chances are, if you’ve eaten karawala (dried fish) in Sri Lanka, you’ve possibly eaten shark—without even knowing it. Shark meat often ends up in local markets with no species names, and no questions asked. But here’s the catch: unlike fast-growing fish like sardines or mackerel, most sharks and rays grow slowly, mature late, and have very few offspring. Some only give birth once every couple of years. That means that their populations are usually precarious and they are sensitive even to small-scale fishing operations, which push their populations into serious decline. And in Sri Lanka, while vessel sizes are smaller in comparison to many developed countries, the number of vessels combined with their fishing techniques has resulted in the depletion, and in the case of sawfishes, a likely local extinction.

That’s where Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) come in. ISRAs are a global science-based tool designed to designate places that matter most for sharks, rays, and chimaeras. They aren’t marine protected areas and don’t come with legal restrictions—but they highlight critical habitats based on rigorous scientific criteria. These include areas used for breeding, feeding, migration, or home to rare, threatened, or range-restricted species.

In 2024, after a thorough review and vetting process, five (of the seven) proposed areas from Sri Lanka were formally designated as ISRAs

Bathalangunduwa Island, located on the fringes of the shallow coastal Puttalam Lagoon and off the coast of Wilpattu National Park in northwestern Sri Lanka, qualifies as an ISRA based on the presence of the threatened Winghead Shark (Eusphyra blochii). This area meets two ISRA criteria: it supports a vulnerable species and functions as a reproductive habitat.

Palk Bay, a shallow, semi-enclosed water body shared between India and Sri Lanka, qualifies as an ISRA due to the presence of multiple important species. These include the threatened Shorttail Whipray (Maculabatis bineeshi), the range-restricted Sharpnose Guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus), and reproductive populations of the Grey Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon oligolinx). This was one of the few trans-boundary ISRAs covering both Indian, and Sri Lankan waters.

: Punnakuda ISRA

: Pigeon Island ISRA

: Pasikuda & Kalkudah ISRA

: Baththalangunduwa ISRA

Pasikudah & Kalkudah, a coastal stretch in Sri Lanka’s Batticaloa District, is known for its coral reefs and nearshore shark activity. This ISRA qualifies due to the presence of threatened and range-restricted species, such as the Stripenose Guitarfish (Acroteriobatus variegatus).

Punnakuda Canyon, a deep-sea canyon located just offshore from Pasikudah & Kalkudah and beyond the boundaries of the coastal ISRA, qualifies based on the presence of threatened and range-restricted deep-sea species, including the Indian Swellshark (Cephaloscyllium silasi).

Pigeon Island, the only ISRA in Sri Lanka that overlaps with a Marine Protected Area—the Pigeon Island Marine National Park—qualifies due to the presence of threatened species and undefined aggregations, notably the Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus).

These areas are already designated ISRAs. In addition to this Sri Lanka also has two “Areas of Interest”; Koddiyar Bay and Hikkaduwa.

While these ISRAs don’t enforce protection on their own, except for Pigeon Island, which happens to overlap with an already established National Park, they’re a vital starting point. They help guide where marine protected areas might be placed, where fishing regulations could be refined, and where development should tread carefully. For Sri Lanka, ISRAs offer a powerful chance to align conservation and fisheries planning before it’s too late.

Most importantly, ISRAs are created using available scientific knowledge. Organisations like Blue Resources Trust (BRT) were able to contribute to the designation of ISRA’s due to long-term monitoring of shark and ray fisheries across the country. BRT has built the largest dataset on Sri Lankan sharks and rays, thanks to contributions from the Tokyo Cement Group, the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), the Marine Conservation and Action Fund (MCAF) of the New England Aquarium, the Hong Kong Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCFHK), the Prince Bernhard Nature Fund, amongst others.

By designating our ISRAs, Sri Lanka now has the recognition to make smarter, science-led decisions for the ocean’s most vulnerable species.

As shark and ray populations decline under pressure from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change, knowing where they still have a chance to thrive is the first step toward saving them. Through ISRAs, Sri Lanka can take the lead in showing how conservation and coastal livelihoods can go hand in hand.

To explore ISRA maps and learn more, visit: https://sharkrayareas.org

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Business

SLEIS 2026 to examine how Sri Lanka can strengthen its place in Asia’s growth networks

Published

24 hours ago

2026/09/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ambassador Akio ISOMATA / Chathuranga Abeysinghe / P.D. Singh

As Asia continues to account for a growing share of global economic activity, Sri Lanka faces an important opportunity to strengthen its links with regional trade networks, supply chains and economic corridors. How the country can make better use of these connections to attract investment, expand trade and strengthen its position in regional value chains will be among the key questions at the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12-13 October 2026.

Titled “Linking Sri Lanka to Asia’s Growth Networks: Trade, Corridors, and Value Chains,” the session will examine the opportunities for Sri Lanka to deepen its integration with the wider Asian economy and build stronger connections with regional and global markets.

The session keynote will be delivered by P.D Singh – Chief Executive Officer, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank. He will be joined for a panel discussion by Chathuranga Abeysinghe – Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Akio ISOMATA – Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, MASAAKI Kawabata – Chairman – Toyota Lanka (Private) Limited, and Ravi Jayawardena – Group Chief Executive Officer-Maliban Biscuits (Private) Limited. The session will be moderated by Ms. Subhashini Abeysinghe – Research Director- Verité Research.

For Sri Lanka, stronger regional integration can open opportunities beyond traditional export markets. Greater participation in regional supply chains, improved trade connectivity and closer links to economic corridors can support investment in areas such as logistics, manufacturing, export services and other sectors connected to international production networks.

The discussion will consider what Sri Lanka needs to do to strengthen its position within these networks, including improving trade connectivity, attracting investment and creating a business environment that enables companies to participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.

It will also look at the experience of businesses and international institutions operating across the region, providing perspectives on how companies assess markets, build supply chains and identify locations for investment. With supply chains and investment flows increasingly shaped by regional connectivity, the session will also consider the partnerships and strategies needed to position Sri Lanka as a more competitive participant in Asia’s growth networks, while creating opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and economic growth.

The session will form part of the second day of SLEIS 2026, held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy.”

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).

Business

AAC launches seat belt safety awareness initiative with RDA Colombo

Published

24 hours ago

2026/09/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), in collaboration with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and Police – Traffic Division, will conduct a special Road Safety Awareness Programme to promote the importance of wearing seat belts in vehicles specially on the express highways in order to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries.

The official handing-over ceremony took place at the Chairman’s Office of the Road Development Authority on 14th September 2026, where specially designed Seat Belt Safety Hanging Tags & Stickers prepared by the Automobile Association of Ceylon were handed over to the RDA for distribution to motorists at entry points to the expressways.

The initiative is being conducted in connection with the seat belt law coming into effect on 19th September 2026 and is intended to create greater public awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts in both the front and rear seats of vehicles.

Representing the Automobile Association of Ceylon at the ceremony Dhammika Attygalle, President; Prasanna De Zoysa, Sectional Chairman – Road Safety; and Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Senior Superintendent of Police -Traffic Sisira Peththrathanthri, participated in the programme.

The Automobile Association of Ceylon has consistently maintained that road safety is one of its foremost priorities. Through awareness campaigns, educational programmes and collaboration with government authorities and other stakeholders, the Association continues to encourage responsible driving and safer behaviour among all road users.

AAC believes that the proper use of seat belts, including by rear-seat passengers, is a simple but vital safety measure that can help reduce serious injuries and save lives in the event of a road crash.

The programme further strengthens the cooperation between the Automobile Association of Ceylon, the Road Development Authority and the Police in their shared commitment towards safer roads and saving lives in Sri Lanka.

Business

Sanath Jayasuriya as Brand Ambassador

Published

24 hours ago

2026/09/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Mr. Dasun Wickramarathna, Chairman Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd with Sanath Jayasuriya, World Renown Personality & Brand Ambassador

Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd (GHR) has announced a landmark partnership with Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya, as its Brand Ambassador as GHR enters a new chapter in its journey within Sri Lanka’s luxury real estate sector.

The partnership was officially unveiled at a press conference held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, on 14 September 2026, bringing together industry leaders, investors and members of the media under the theme “Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning.”

The collaboration brings together two names associated with challenging convention in their respective fields: Sanath Jayasuriya, whose fearless approach transformed the dynamics of international cricket, and GHR, which has sought to introduce new approaches to property investment and luxury living in Sri Lanka.

Over the past two decades, GHR has built its presence in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector with a focus on quality, structural integrity and long-term investment value.

A significant milestone in the company’s journey came in 2016, when GHR introduced the hotel residency concept to the Sri Lankan market. The model brought together luxury hospitality and real estate investment, creating opportunities for property ownership with the potential to generate investment returns while contributing to the growth of the country’s high-end tourism offering. GHR has since continued to expand its portfolio across key destinations in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the announcement, Dasun Wickramarathna, Chairman of Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd, said, “For over twenty years, Global Housing & Real Estate has strived to push the boundaries of what property development can achieve in Sri Lanka. As pioneers who introduced the hotel residency concept back in 2016, our mission has always been clear: to provide high-yield investment opportunities for our clients while taking Sri Lanka’s condominium industry into a new frontier.”

Commenting on the decision to partner with Sanath Jayasuriya, he added, “When looking for a voice to represent GHR’s ethos, Sanath Jayasuriya was the natural choice. Just as Sanath disrupted traditional international cricket and redefined how the world viewed the opening overs, GHR challenged traditional approaches to real estate and established a new benchmark in luxury living. This partnership represents a true convergence; Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning.”