This walk was organized by the Marine Environment Protection Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, under the theme ‘Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet’, to raise awareness of the people about the importance of protecting the ocean environment.

The walk, headed by the President, started from the Viharamaha Devi Outdoor Theater and proceeded up to Galle Face Green.

By its resolution 63/111 of 5 December 2008, the UN General Assembly designated 8 June as World Oceans Day.

The concept of a ‘World Oceans Day’ was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to celebrate our world’s shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help to protect it.

To raise awareness about the role the United Nations and international law can play in the sustainable development and use of the oceans and their living and non-living resources, the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea is actively coordinating different activities of the World Oceans Day.

Sri Lanka marks the World Ocean Day with series of programs related enhancing of the standards of the ocean and the beaches.

The first copy of the annual magazine ‘Sath Samudura’ published by the Marine Environment Protection Authority was presented to the President on this occasion.

Deputy Minister of Mahaweli Development Anuradha Jayarathne, Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Udaya R. Senevirathne and the Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority Rohana Perera also participated in this event.