SLT-MOBITEL 2026 Calendar presents Sri Lanka’s seashell heritage honouring coastal legacy

Seashells, timeless symbols of Sri Lanka’s coastal beauty and marine vitality, were recently unveiled as the highlight of SLT‑MOBITEL’s 2026 Calendar. Dedicating this edition to ‘Seashells of Sri Lanka,’ the National ICT Solutions Provider continues the tradition of celebrating the country’s natural heritage and nurturing a deep appreciation of the ocean’s ecosystems.

For over two decades, SLT‑MOBITEL’s annual calendars have provided a platform to spotlight the nation’s environment and culture, building awareness and responsibility among communities. The 2026 edition reaffirms the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, encouraging the public to value and preserve Sri Lanka’s natural heritage.

Seashells, the external skeletons of marine molluscs, have been collected by humans for centuries, valued as food, ornaments, and even as forms of currency. In recent times, they have been sought for the aquarium trade and shell‑craft.

Beyond their cultural and economic uses, marine molluscs play a vital ecological role. Sea snails inhabit shores, reefs, and sandy beaches, feeding on animals and seaweed. Similarly, clams filter plankton from seawater. Together, they sustain ocean ecosystems providing shelter, food, and habitats for countless organisms, effectively maintaining the delicate balance of marine life.

Artistically portrayed in the 2026 Calendar, seashells symbolize renewal and harmony with nature, inspiring greater appreciation and responsibility towards safeguarding the country's biodiversity.

Through creative artistry, SLT‑MOBITEL highlights its dedication to environmental awareness, inviting the public to explore the captivating world of seashells, their ecological significance, and the urgent need to protect them from habitat destruction, marine pollution, and over‑collection. Notably, twelve gastropod snails and one bivalve clam are already protected animals under Sri Lankan law.

Moreover, Sri Lanka's seashells remain understudied, with a provisional checklist published in 2020 documenting 494 gastropod species in 73 families, considered a minimum count. The 2026 Calendar aims to raise awareness of this rich but vulnerable marine heritage.

The 2026 Calendar features stunning illustrations of artists Pulasthi Ediriweera and Nalin Jayarathna, guided by marine naturalist Dr. Malik Fernando, MBChB (Bristol), and member Marine Subcommittee of the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society, with design by Sanjeevan Sathyajith. Each month offers a visual journey into the diversity of Sri Lanka's seashells, inviting everyone to discover their captivating story.

The calendar's educational mission is reinforced by SLT-MOBITEL's wider support for marine research and conservation. It continues the legacy of the 2024 Calendar, which highlighted the mangroves ecosystem to create awareness on sustainability and initiate a dialogue for action.

As part of its ongoing commitment, SLT-MOBITEL will persist to strengthen community-focused initiatives, including awards and scholarships for university students engaged in research on mangrove restoration and marine conservation. These efforts create an unbroken cycle of knowledge sharing, preservation, and empowerment, safeguarding Sri Lanka’s rich natural heritage today, inspiring and nurturing the environmental stewards of tomorrow.

With ‘Seashells of Sri Lanka’ symbolizing renewal and ecological harmony, SLT‑MOBITEL continues to make a significant contribution, promoting conservation, sustainability, and national pride in Sri Lanka’s natural heritage.

Each calendar month is showcased through bespoke artwork of a distinct gastropod, complemented with fascinating scientific insights on the reverse. The collection spans the year and features the following shells: Rose Branch Murex (January), Major Harp (February), Map Cowrie (March), Winding Stair Shell (April), Geography Cone (May), Persian Horse Conch (June), Reticulated Olive (July), Perry’s Triton (August), Triton’s Trumpet (September), Red-Mouth Frog Shell (October), Clover’s Lyria (November), and the Bull-Mouth Helmet Shell (December). Together, the collected illustrations unite in a curated celebration of marine biodiversity across the year.

Dr. Mothilal de Silva, Chairman of SLT Group, unveiling the 2026 Calendar with Rohana Ellawala, Acting Chief Marketing Officer - SLT-MOBITEL, Imantha Wijekoon, CEO - SLT Group, and Anuruddha Suriyaarachchi, General Manager - Marketing Services - SLT

Dr. Mothilal De Silva, Chairman of SLT Group, addressing the gathering

Prof. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara, Director General – Department of Coast Conversation & Coastal Resource Management, discusses the importance of marine ecology

Source: Adaderana