The World Oceans Day-2016 national ceremony is held this morning 7.a.m at the Viharamahadevi open theatre under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

The ceremony will be followed by an awareness walk from the Viharamahadevi park to Galle Face premises participated by the President Sirisena. About 1,500 members representing schools, public institutions, NGOs, and universities are expected to participate  in the walk.

A coastal cleaning program will be held in Wellawatte and in the Crow-island coastal areas with the participation of the school students, public employees, NGO members, and universities academics. Awareness programs will also be launched by the island wide District and Divisional secretaries in the coastal areas.

The World Oceans Day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2008 and since then it is celebrated annually.