The International Coastal Cleanup Day and National Marine Resource Conservation Week was started at Crow Island in Mattakkuliya under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena 15th September. The program was held in parallel to the International Coast Conservation Day which is held on the third Saturday of September every year.

The National Marine Resource Conservation Week start on Saturday and end on 22nd September. During this week a cleaning program of coral reefs and mangroves as well as cleaning of coastal belt and awareness program has been planned by the Marine Environment Protection Authority.

More than 1,500 persons in all ministries, departments, local government offices, District Secretariats, in coastal areas, Tri Forces, Police, Civil organizations, university and school children will engage in these programs.