Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, University of Ruhuna

15/07/2026

02/07/2026

In commemoration of World Hydrography Day, observed annually on 21 June, the national celebration jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) was held at the Wave n' Lake Navy Hall, Welisara, on 23 June 2026.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda. Other distinguished guests included the Chairman of the National Hydrographic Council, Rear Admiral Sisira Jayakody (Retd); the National Hydrographer of Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya; and the Chief Hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Dammika Wijewardana. The keynote address was delivered by Senior Professor Nalin Rathnayake, Vice Chancellor of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka.
The celebration brought together 112 undergraduate students from leading universities and higher education institutions across the country, including 10 final-year undergraduates from the Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology.

As part of the World Hydrography Day programme, the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office also conducted a hydrographic field training programme at the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour. The training provided students with a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience using modern hydrographic survey equipment, enhancing their practical knowledge of hydrographic surveying and their understanding of the vital role hydrography plays in safe navigation, coastal management, marine resource development, and environmental protection.

The Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology sincerely appreciates the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office for extending the invitation to participate in this important national event and for organizing the highly beneficial field training programme.
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Navy

19/02/2026

This project titled “Assessment of Sea Turtle Nesting Behaviour and Their Migratory Pattern” sbrings together Prof. Terney from the University of Ruhuna and Prof. Katsufumi Sato from University of Tokyo, with generous sponsorship from Tokyo Kyodo Holdings Co., Ltd.
At Rekawa Lagoon, Sri Lanka, our team successfully deployed satellite-linked tracking devices on the carapace of Olive Ridley Sea turtles. Using advanced biologging technology, we can now remotely collect and transmit biological and environmental data directly from turtles swimming freely in their natural habitat.
🔬 What do these trackers allow us to do?
✅ Monitor long-distance migratory routes in near real-time
✅ Study nesting behaviour and habitat use
✅ Measure Ocean conditions such as temperature, salinity, and pressure
✅ Receive environmental data via satellite communication
By combining marine biology with cutting-edge oceanographic sensor technology, this project strengthens our understanding of sea turtle ecology and provides valuable ocean data from the Indian Ocean region.
We are proud to continue advancing marine science through innovation, international collaboration, and technology-driven conservation.