The MAS Foundation for Change completed the installation of 100 OCEAN STRAINER™ units, marking a major milestone in its upstream intervention efforts, with the 100th unit installed at the Wellawatte Canal.
The OCEAN STRAINER™ was first piloted in 2020 at the Dehiwala Canal. Designed as a floating trash trap, it allows water to flow freely while capturing plastic and other floating debris. Its low-tech and modular design allows it to be deployed and maintained across a wide range of waterways. In its first year, it prevented more than 67,000 kilograms of floating waste from entering the ocean.
The 100 OCEAN STRAINER™ installations are now in place across Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Matara, and Galle districts.
Together, these installations prevent approximately 2.7 million kilograms of floating waste every year from reaching the ocean, translating policy intent and sustainability commitments into measurable environmental protection.
MAS Foundation for Change Executive Director, Ms. Sharika Senanayake, noted:
We can clean these waterways, but the first step is to bring attention to the problem. By working with partners to measure the waste, we can then collaborate with communities to encourage better disposal practices. This evidence gives us the foundation needed to support new design, innovation, and circular approaches, and most importantly, to support policy and legislation.
Founded in 2022, the MAS Foundation for Change was established with the goal of addressing large-scale environmental challenges. At the heart of its strategy is strong partnership and collaboration to create impactful, sustainable solutions. Over the past three years, this progress has been driven by strong collaboration public and private sectors.
Today, the Foundation works with over 38 partners, alongside number of Development Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Corporates and Government Institutions to tackle some of most pressing environmental issues in Sri Lanka, including ocean pollution, biodiversity loss, and access to clean water.
The installation of 100 OCEAN STRAINER™ units marks a significant milestone in building a national, upstream intervention focused on preventing waste before it reaches the ocean. As the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation Chairman, Eng. Mr. Saman Sri Senaweera explained:
Each installation operates as part of a structured partnership model, where the MAS Foundation for Change leads installation, monitoring, and long-term maintenance, while local authorities enable site access, technical validation, regulatory oversight and responsible waste management. In Colombo, this model has been implemented in close collaboration with the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, with over 77 of the 100 installations across canals within the Colombo Wetland Complex. This sustained engagement reflects a shift toward a durable operational system, focused around regular waste removal, data collection, and evidence based decision making.
The milestone installation took place on 18th February at the Wellawatte Canal near Havelock City. The event brought together partners and stakeholders to reflect on progress to date, share insights from field implementation, and outline how the initiative continues to evolve in response to changing environmental conditions.
With the installation of 100 OCEAN STRAINER™, the MAS Foundation for Change reaffirms a clear approach to tackling plastic pollution in Sri Lanka: intervene early, work collaboratively, and scale solutions that deliver measurable impact before waste reaches the ocean.
