Sri Lanka’s coral reefs are blessed with a very rich variety of animals and plants.The coastline of Sri Lanka, which is about 1600 km, supports highly productive and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, sea-grass beds, coastal marshes, sand dunes and coral reefs.
The reefs of Sri lanka are divided into 3 categories:
•True coral reefs
•Sandstone coral reefs
•Boulder reefs of crystalline rock

When compared to the extent of its shoreline Sri Lanka has limited true coral reefs. It is estimated that only 2% of the coasting has fringing coral reefs. There are widespread areas of patch reefs, but the extents of these have not been determined in detail. Most fringing reefs are not found on South-western, Southern (Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Weligama) and Eastern coast (Trincomalee, Pigeon Island). Well developed offshore coral reefs occur in the Gulf of Mannar and west of the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Coral reefs around the Jaffna Peninsula are less well developed, and occur mainly around the coastal island.
Sandstone and boulder reefs are in varying degrees, covered by coral. Many sandstone reefs are located along the bathymetric contours on the continental shelf. They are believed to have formed on ancient shoreline. Boulder reefs are commonly with the rocky shores of the southern and eastern coast.

Biodiversity of Sri Lankan reefs


Sri Lanka has 193 species of coral and over 300 species of reef fish. Our reefs also provide shelter to invertebrates such as Starfish, Sea urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Lobsters, Cuttle fish and Cowries and reptiles such as Sea turtles. Some of coral species found in Sri Lanka include hard corals, Stag horn coral and soft corals. The most economically important reef fish in Sri Lanka include groups, snappers, emperors, barracuda, jacks, seer and fusiliers; Reef fish important for the aquarium trade include 35 species of butterfly fish, 6 species of large angelfish, pygmy angelfish and many others.

Marine Protected Areas

At present, only two coral reefs areas have been afforeded legal protection as Marine Protection Areas in Sri Lanka naming the Hikkaduwa National Park in the south and Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary in the north west of the country. In addition, the area around the Great Basses and Little Basses reefs has been designated fisheries protection area.

Environmental pollution


Dumping of garbage into city waterways and onto beaches has a negative impact on the marine environment in general and on the reefs in particular. The volume of non-biodegradable garbage such as polythene products in inshore waters increase daily particularly near cities and coastal towns. In addition untreated industrial effluent is discharged directly into rivers or canals that eventually pollute the sea. Oil pollution in harbours is a chronic problem particularly when fishing boats are anchored in the protected bays formed by fringing reefs or estuaries. Waste oil and bilge water is washed into these waters.

Tourism and recreational activities
Coastal areas, particularly beaches and areas with fringing reefs have become important locations for tourism development. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and viewing corals through glass- bottom boats are popular activities. The majority of hotels along the coast line have been constructed without proper planning and as result numerous problems such as liquid and solid waste disposal have become major issues. In some locations such as in Hikkaduwa these issues have become acute and it has now begun to have an adverse impact on the marine environment.