හරිත දම්රැස් 2026 – Vesak Cleanup Campaign
The Vesak Cleanup Campaign was organized by the ZeroPlastic Club, University of Ruhuna, as a community service and environmental conservation initiative in conjunction with the National Vesak celebrations held in Matara in 2026. The project was successfully conducted on 28th May and 31st May 2026 around Midellawala Purana Maha Viharaya, Thihagoda, with the aim of creating a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly atmosphere for devotees visiting the temple during the Vesak season.
Vesak is one of the most significant religious festivals in Sri Lanka, attracting thousands of devotees to temples and religious sites. However, large gatherings often result in the accumulation of waste, including plastic bottles, food wrappers, polythene, and other disposable materials. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a clean environment during this sacred period, the ZeroPlastic Club initiated the Vesak Cleanup Campaign to support environmental sustainability while promoting responsible waste management practices among the public.
The project was led by Dilshani Chathurika as the Project Head and Sadaruwan Nadeesha as the Deputy Head, while S.M. Hiruni Bhagya served as the Secretary. A dedicated Organizing Committee consisting of 29 members worked tirelessly to ensure the successful planning and implementation of the campaign. The committee included PR Coordinators, Event Coordinators, Marketing Team members, a Finance Coordinator, Delegate Coordinators, Content Writers, a Presenter, Photographers, and a Graphic Designer, each contributing their expertise and effort towards achieving the project goals.
The campaign activities focused on cleaning the temple premises and surrounding areas before and after the peak Vesak celebrations. Volunteers actively participated in collecting waste, cleaning public spaces, and ensuring that the temple environment remained pleasant and welcoming for devotees. The project also emphasized the importance of reducing plastic pollution and encouraged visitors to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors during religious and public events.
Throughout the campaign, volunteers demonstrated remarkable teamwork, dedication, and commitment to environmental conservation. Their collective efforts helped maintain the cleanliness of the temple surroundings while raising awareness about the importance of protecting public spaces. The campaign served as a practical example of how community participation can contribute to environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.
The Vesak Cleanup Campaign also supported the broader mission of the ZeroPlastic Club by promoting sustainable practices and encouraging individuals to reduce their environmental footprint. Through direct engagement with devotees and the local community, the project highlighted the importance of keeping religious and cultural events free from unnecessary waste and pollution.
Overall, the Vesak Cleanup Campaign 2026 was successfully completed with the active participation of volunteers and the support of the local community. The project made a valuable contribution to the National Vesak celebrations in Matara by ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for devotees while reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility. The success of the campaign reflects the commitment of the ZeroPlastic Club, University of Ruhuna, towards building a more sustainable future through community-driven environmental initiatives.
