As the morning sun touched the golden gopuram of the Kattukalai Pillaiyar Kovil in Kandy town on the 1st of April, a different kind of ritual began to unfold. It wasn’t just a day of traditional prayer, it was a day of environmental devotion. The ZeroPlastic University of Peradeniya descended upon the streets to launch Project YAJNA a powerful movement to reclaim our heritage from the grip of plastic pollution.
The project roared to life with an expansive Awareness Walk that captured the attention of the entire city. Leading the temple chariot, a sea of more than 180 volunteers marched along the Kandy main road with a singular, unwavering vow, “Reduce Plastic, Protect Our Earth.” Through a vivid display of posters in Sinhala, Tamil and English, the team spoke a universal language of conservation. These posters, filled with simple yet punchy illustrations, ensured that the message reached every heart in the crowd. This visual symphony was masterfully composed by our graphic designers, Akindu Hansith and Dasithya, and narrated through the compelling storytelling of our content writers, Tharshani and Nayomi Chanika.
The heart of YAJNA, however, lived in the collective action of the Clean-Up. Inside the sacred temple walls and across the surrounding busy streets, nearly two hundred pairs of hands proved that many hands make light work of heavy pollution. Under the watchful eyes of the temple administration, our volunteers scoured every corner, eventually filling 52 garbage bags to the brim. This massive logistical feat was made possible by the sharp coordination of Laxshana and Yalini, alongside our dedicated event coordinators, Saranya, Halisna, Shyani, Kijalan and Kopijan, who ensured the entire area was left spotless.
To ensure that this effort leaves a permanent mark, the society concluded the day by donating four specialized dustbins categorized for Paper, Plastic, Polythene and Glass. Complete with detailed informational boards, these bins now serve as a lasting model for waste management. This entire mission was steered by the strategic leadership of our chair, Anujah, whose vision was flawlessly supported by the organizational backbone of Dilaxana and the financial precision of Dishanika.
The heartbeat of this massive operation was the incredible synergy between our team and the local community. A project of this scale, bringing together such a vast number of participants, was made possible through the generous patronage of our main sponsor, *Valai.K* (Exclusive Veg Bakers & Cuisine) Their holistic support served as the backbone of Project YAJNA, fueling our mission from start to finish. Furthermore, the spirit of Kandy truly came alive as local residents and onlookers didn’t just watch-they stepped in to support us in countless ways. This overwhelming community backing turned a student initiative into a grand public movement, proving that when local businesses and citizens unite, the impact is unstoppable.
The resources that fueled this success were gathered through the relentless efforts of our fundraising coordinators, Kishanth, S. Nadeesha and N. Sailaja while Sathusha and Vanujan ensured every volunteer felt like part of one grand family. As the sponsors presented awards to the Membership Avenue and OC members in appreciation of their hard work, the day ended with shared refreshments and a sense of pride. Project YAJNA didn’t just clean a street, it cleared a path for a sustainable tomorrow.
Be the change. Join the movement and let’s grow a greener future together.
