Coral reef stayed hidden until now discovered off Kankasanthurai harbour

A diving team attached to the Northern Naval Command had discovered a beautiful coral reef which remained a well-hidden secret until a recent deep-sea expedition carried out over the past week in Kankasanthurai.

The diving expedition to uncover this coral reef which extends approximately 400 metres along the seaward side of breakwater was conducted by a diving team led by Command Diving Officer, under the directives of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kapila Samaraweera.

Coral reefs can be identified as an essential element to balance the biodiversity in the ocean and they would decay due to natural causes or harmful human activities. It is in this backdrop, under the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, the Northern Naval Command is committed to protect these coral reefs as well as conserve underwater marine sites in northern seas.