CleanLink 2025: From Campus to Community – A Journey of Clean Change

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, an inspiring collaboration unfolded in the heart of Vavuniya as youth-led environmental action took center stage. Titled “CleanLink 2025”, this clean-up initiative was jointly organized by the Zero Plastic Vavuniya Community and the Leo Club of the University of Vavuniya, uniting university students, local volunteers, and environmental advocates in a shared mission: to reduce plastic pollution, promote sustainability, and build a cleaner, more responsible community.

A Community Route Turned Green Path

The project kicked off at 8:00 AM with volunteers assembling in front of the University of Vavuniya hostel premises. The clean-up focused on the pathway from the hostel to the main campus a route heavily used by students, staff, and local residents in their daily routines. This route was not chosen randomly. It symbolizes the connection between campus life and the surrounding community a shared space that reflects both the environmental habits and the civic values of its users.

Equipped with cleaning tools, gloves, masks, and reusable collection bags, volunteers worked side-by-side to clear visible waste, particularly single-use plastics, which have become a growing concern in the region. The clean-up not only improved the physical environment but also turned into a powerful public statement about the role of young people in driving sustainable change.

A Collaboration Built on Purpose and Passion

CleanLink 2025 was driven by a strong partnership between two youth-led organizations. The Zero Plastic Vavuniya Community, led by President J.A.M.P. Jayasinha and Project Directors N. Sanjeevan and Idusara Rusith, brought expertise in plastic waste reduction, grassroots organizing, and environmental education. Working closely with them, the Leo Club of the University of Vavuniya played a key role in mobilizing student volunteers, managing logistics, and handling media.

This powerful partnership between Zero Plastic Vavuniya Community and the Leo Club demonstrated how a shared vision and well-coordinated efforts can produce meaningful, tangible outcomes especially when young leaders are empowered to take charge.

A Theme That Resonates: “Campus to Community”

Operating under the theme “Campus to Community – A Journey of Clean Change”, the initiative emphasized the interconnectedness of personal responsibility and collective impact. The slogan perfectly captured the essence of the event: that meaningful environmental change must begin at the individual level but should ripple outward to create community-wide transformation.

This philosophy was echoed throughout the day, as volunteers didn’t just clean they engaged in conversations about long term sustainability, the consequences of plastic dependency, and the role of youth in shaping a greener tomorrow.

Impact Beyond the Day

While the visible outcome a noticeably cleaner and more welcoming university route was celebrated by many, the true success of CleanLink 2025 lies in the awareness it raised and the momentum it built. Students, faculty, and passersby stopped to observe, ask questions, and even join in. For many, it was a moment of reflection on their daily habits and their place within a larger environmental ecosystem.

CleanLink 2025 wasn’t a one-time event. It was a starting point for an ongoing series of sustainability efforts both on and off campus. By focusing on a tangible, shared space and involving active dialogue, the organizers hope to nurture a culture of environmental consciousness that will continue to grow in the months and years to come.

Message from the Organizers

“This is more than just a clean-up. It’s a statement that young people care, that we’re ready to act, and that real change starts with us,” said J.A.M.P. Jayasinha, President of the Zero Plastic Vavuniya Community.

“Through the Leo Club of the University of Vavuniya, we strive to connect student energy with meaningful environmental impact. Every plastic bottle we collect is one less threat to our planet,” shared the Leo Club of the University of Vavuniya Vice President.

Both organizations extended their thanks to all volunteers, university authorities, and supporting partners who helped make CleanLink 2025 a success.