(The organization, now boasting over 1,000 members, is determined to equip communities with the skills to stay afloat in emergencies)
Sri Lanka’s hope to thwart their citizens from drowning is seeing a wave of hope as international trainers join hands with local lifesavers to turn the tide on water-related tragedies. With a mission to build a safer future, the Sri Lanka Community Lifesavers, a volunteer-driven initiative, has thrown a lifeline to communities across the country, teaching vital swimming and lifesaving skills.
Founded in 2021, the Sri Lanka Community Lifesavers has been making a splash with its efforts in lifeguarding, swim training and disaster preparedness. The organization, now boasting over 1,000 members, is determined to equip communities with the skills to stay afloat in emergencies.
“We are in this to save lives, not just to teach swimming,” says Asanka Nanayakkara, Head Trainer of Sri Lanka Community Lifesavers. “Drowning is a silent killer and our goal is to create communities that are prepared, not panicked, when disaster strikes.”
The organization collaborates with key partners, including Sarvodaya Shramadhana Movement, Sri Lanka Life Saving (SLLS) and the Disaster Management Center, to provide training, awareness and emergency response initiatives.
Nanayakkara stresses that their work goes beyond just teaching water survival techniques. “It’s about prevention. It’s about drilling knowledge to the people needed before tragedy strikes.”
In a groundbreaking partnership, Sri Lanka Community Lifesavers has teamed up with Angel Swim London, a UK-based initiative led by Adam Kight, to strengthen the country’s swim education programs.
Launched in 2023, Angel Swim London’s STA International Swim Teacher Program has been a game-changer. What started as a single training session at Rahula College in Matara has now expanded across Sri Lanka. In 2024, the program reached Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa and this year it has grown to its largest batch yet, with 42 participants at Piliyandala Central College training 150 children.
For the first time in history, three girls from the local surfing community in Weligama’s Sea Sisters Lanka earned international swim teacher certifications. Additionally, three surfing instructors also achieved global recognition, paving the way for a special lifesaving initiative focused on vulnerable surfing communities in the Southern Province.
“We’ve trained more than 400 schoolchildren across Sri Lanka,” says Nanayakkara. “What makes this program truly exceptional is the dedication of trainers from the UK, India and the Netherlands, who volunteer their time and expertise for free.”
The collaboration between Sri Lanka Community Lifesavers, Angel Swim London and the STA UK stands as a beacon of hope for water safety. By pouring time and resources into these programs international trainers are making a ripple effect that could save countless lives in the future.
“The importance of swim education and water safety knowledge cannot be overstated,” Nanayakkara emphasizes. “This is not just about teaching kids to swim. It’s about building a nation that understands the dangers of water and how to prevent tragedies.”
With each passing year, Sri Lanka’s water safety efforts continue to gain strength, ensuring that fewer families face the devastation of drowning. Nanayakkara believes that the key to lasting change lies in empowering communities and fostering global partnerships.
“We will continue to expand our programs, train more people, and create a culture of safety,” he concludes. “Because at the end of the day, it’s not about numbers. It’s about lives saved.”
From local heroes to international trainers, this collective effort is transforming Sri Lanka’s waters into safer spaces—one stroke, one lesson and one life at a time.
