Ocean University Sri Lanka - Dep. of Coastal and Marine Resource Management

The Department of Coastal and Marine Resources Management, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, warmly congratulates Dr. R. Thejani Nilusha on her appointment as the new Head of the Department.

We are confident that under your leadership, the department will continue to grow in academic strength, research excellence, and industry relevance. Your expertise and commitment to coastal and marine resource management will be invaluable in guiding both staff and students toward new opportunities and impactful contributions to the field.

We wish you every success as you lead the department toward greater excellence, innovation, and impact. May this new chapter bring meaningful progress for CRM and inspire the next generation of marine scientists and managers. 💙✨️

The Department of Coastal and Marine Resources Management pauses to express our deepest gratitude to 𝐌𝐬. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐙𝐨𝐲𝐬𝐚 for her exceptional service as Head of the Department.

Under your leadership, CRM grew in academic strength, spirit, and purpose. You led with vision and humility, always placing students first, pushing for excellence in research, and keeping coastal and marine resource management at the forefront of national and regional discussions.

Your dedication built a research-driven, industry-relevant, and student-centered department. From guiding final year projects and fieldwork to supporting conferences and fostering collaborations, you shaped the careers of countless young marine scientists.

Though you step down as Head, your legacy lives on in the curriculum you strengthened, the research culture you nurtured, and the students you mentored.

We wish you continued success, good health, and fulfillment in your next chapter. Thank you for being the guiding force behind the CRM department. 🩵✨

The students of the Coastal and Marine Resources Management degree program (CRM 2023/24 Batch) recently completed an industrial field visit to VS Fresh (Pvt) Ltd, a leading seafood processing and export company located in Lunuwila.

This visit was an integral part of the Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology module, organized by the Department of Coastal and Marine Resources Management, to provide students with hands on industrial exposure in the seafood processing sector, a major contributor to Sri Lanka’s foreign income. The field experience allowed students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications in post-harvest fisheries management.

During the visit, students were able to,
• Observe the key steps in seafood processing for the export market.
• Understand the supply chain and production processes, from raw material handling to packaging and storage.
• Learn about post-harvest techniques used to maintain freshness and meet requirements for products.
• Study the quality assurance standards and certifications maintained by the company to satisfy international market regulations.
• Explore the waste management processes implemented within the factory.
• Identify shortcomings in the production process and discuss possible improvements.
• Understand the challenges faced in the seafood export industry, including quality control, logistics, and market demands.

The department extends its sincere appreciation to Ms. Shamali Rathnasri (Module Lecturer), Ms. Chathurika de Zoysa (Academic Coordinator) and Ms. Thilini (Demonstrator) for their guidance and support throughout the visit. Special thanks are also extended to the staff of VS Fresh (Pvt) Ltd specially our alumni Asela Dissanayake and Milinda Pushpakumara for their expert explanations, generous hospitality and for providing excellent refreshments, which greatly enhanced the learning experience.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 -𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧

As part of the Introduction to Coastal and Marine Fisheries module, a field visit was undertaken by the students of the Coastal and Marine Resources Management (CRM 2024/2025 Batch) to the Negombo Fishery Harbor, fish landing centers, dry fish production areas, an ice plant and the Negombo Lagoon.

Fish landing, auctioning and marketing processes at the harbor and fish markets were observed, providing practical insight into fisheries operations and value chains. Traditional dry fish production methods and the ice production process were also studied, highlighting their importance in post harvest handling and quality preservation.

Through a boat ride in the Negombo Lagoon, firsthand exposure to lagoon fisheries, fishing gears and crafts used in brackish water environments was gained. This experience enhanced understanding of lagoon ecosystems, resource utilization and the distinctions between coastal, offshore and lagoon fisheries.

Environmental concerns related to fisheries activities and the importance of sustainable management practices were further emphasized during the visit.

The field visit was conducted under the guidance of Ms. Chathurika Zoysa(Department head and the module lecturer) and Ms. Thilini Thimasha(Demonstrator) and was recognized as a valuable practical learning experience that strengthened students’ understanding of Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector.

Post content ℹ️ - Rashmi Erandi

As part of the 7th semester Marine Archaeology module, students of the Department of Coastal and Marine Resources Management, majoring in Natural Resources Management, were provided with an invaluable opportunity to undergo hands-on training at the Maritime Archaeology Unit of the Central Cultural Fund, Galle, from 23rd January 2026 to 29th January 2026.

This training program was organized by the module lecturer Mr. Rasika Muthucumarana, Senior Archaeology Officer and Head of the Maritime Archaeology Unit, Central Cultural Fund, Sri Lanka.

During this intensive training period, theoretical and practical exposure was gained in the following areas:
* Recording and documentation of marine artefacts

* Mechanical and chemical cleaning techniques

* Preparation of samples for chemical analysis

* Underwater photography and photogrammetry

* Open water swimming and diving training

* Shipwreck search methods

* Sketching and documentation of underwater findings

Sincere gratitude is extended to all officers and staff of the Maritime Archaeology Unit for their guidance, patience, and continuous support throughout the training. Special appreciation is conveyed to the resource persons Mr. Rasika Muthucumarana, Mr. Gamini Saman, Mr. Kamal Zoysa, Mr. Sameera, and Ms. Jinali for generously sharing their expertise and practical knowledge, which made this experience highly enriching.

Heartfelt thanks are also extended to the Semester Coordinator Ms. Shamali Rathnasri, Head of the Department Ms. Chathurika Zoysa, and Dean of the Faculty for organizing and facilitating this valuable learning opportunity.

Such practical exposure plays a vital role in strengthening academic knowledge and shaping future professional pathways in marine and maritime studies.

The experience, learning, and memories gained are gratefully acknowledged. 🌊⚓

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚’𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 🌱

The Pambala Mangrove Museum was visited as part of the Coastal Ecosystems module. This field visit was considered a valuable learning experience through which an improved understanding of mangrove ecosystems, their ecological importance and their contribution to environmental sustainability was gained. It was observed that mangroves protect coastal areas by reducing erosion and minimizing the impacts of storms and tidal waves. High biodiversity is also supported by mangroves, which provide shelter, breeding grounds and feeding areas for many species such as fish, crabs, birds and other aquatic organisms.

The purpose of the field visit was to identify mangrove species and mangrove associates and to assess biodiversity through a rapid survey, focusing on zonation and distribution patterns. As part of the field study, scientific methods used in mangrove ecosystem assessment were discussed, including the belt transect method and the quadrat sampling method. Changes in vegetation from the lagoon zone to the landward zone were studied using the belt transect method, allowing species composition, density and structural features such as tree height and canopy cover to be recorded. The quadrat sampling method supported the estimation of species abundance, frequency and diversity within a fixed area and was commonly used to assess seedlings, saplings and ground vegetation cover.

The field visit was conducted under the guidance of Ms. Kasunthi Amarasekara (Module Lecturer and Coordinator), with the assistance of Ms. Thilini (Demonstrator) and Dr. Nilusha, whose academic guidance was highly valued throughout the field study.

Overall, the importance of mangrove conservation was highlighted and the need to protect these ecosystems from environmental threats and human activities was emphasized.

Post content ℹ️ | Rashmi Erandi

The students of the Marine Ecology Major of CRM 21/22 Batch recently completed a multi-site field excursion to Hikkaduwa, Dadalla, Boossa, and Galle.

This visit was a core component of the Marine Systematics module, designed to bridge the gap between theoretical taxonomy and field-based identification. During the visit, students successfully:
•Recorded marine flora and fauna via snorkeling at the Hikkaduwa Coral Reef.
•Explored intertidal invertebrates at Dadalla intertidal rocky shore.
•Explored the cultural and ecological history of our oceans at the Galle Maritime Museum.
•Studied the conservation and ecology of Sri Lanka’s five turtle species at the Boossa Turtle Hatchery.

The department extends its appreciation to the academic staff Dr. Tharaka Kusuminda (Module Lecturer), Mrs. Shamali Ratnasri (Academic Coordinator), and Ms. Thilini (Demonstrator), as well as specially thanks to Mr. Anoma and Mr. Charitha for their invaluable expert guidance, assistance and knowledge sharing throughout the trip.

💫🎓 Congratulations to the Best Student of the Year from the Faculty of Engineering and Management and Student with the Highest performance in B.Sc (Hons) in Coastal and Marine Resource Management at Ocean University of Sri Lanka.

May this milestone be the beginning of a successful and inspiring journey ahead. Best wishes for your future endeavors. 🤍✨



Edit Courtesy 📷 | Asangi Gunawardana

🎓 Congratulations to the graduates of BSc. Coastal and Marine Resources Management from the Ocean University of Sri Lanka.

May your journey ahead be filled with purpose, passion, and positive impact for our oceans and planet. Wishing you every success in your future endeavors.. 🌊✨



Edit Courtesy 📷 | Asangi Gunawardana