This week, our spotlight is on Shanjeevan Amalanathan, the dynamic young individual who is also OceanBiome’s Co-Founder. 

1. How do you present yourself as Shanjeevan Amalanathan?
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I’m someone who loves adventure travel and is deeply passionate about protecting the ocean. Being a responsible human for our planet is a commitment I hold close to my heart.

1. Every year since 2019, you’ve undertaken adventures to promote social causes. Can you share details about your activities?

In 2019, after completing my Advanced Level exam, I decided to combine my passion for adventure travel with social service. Following the Easter bomb blast in Sri Lanka, there was a misconception about the safety of the country. I wanted to change that perception. To prove that Sri Lanka was still a safe place to live and visit, I embarked on a journey. Together with my senior scout, I walked across the entire country from Point Pedro – the northern tip, to Dondra – the southern tip, covering a distance of 566 kilometres in just 12 days. This adventure was not only a personal challenge but also a statement about the resilience and safety of Sri Lanka.

Since my initial journey walking across Sri Lanka in 2019 to showcase the country’s resilience, I’ve embarked on annual adventures promoting various social causes. I climbed Mount Elbrus to raise awareness about climate change, followed by swimming across Kallady Bridge in 2021 to advocate for suicide awareness. The next year, I cycled around Sri Lanka’s coastline to emphasise marine conservation. This year, I climbed the top 10 mountains of Sri Lanka to champion gender equality. Each expedition represents my ongoing commitment to making a positive impact, using my passion for adventure to raise awareness about critical social issues.

1. Can you tell us about your very recent adventure – Summit Equality?

My most recent adventure, Summit Equality, involved conquering the top 10 peaks of Sri Lanka to promote safe travel space for all genders. This expedition, which took place from July 31 to August 5, was not just about scaling mountains but also about scaling societal barriers. 

Accompanied by eight like-minded individuals, we embarked on this journey with a clear mission: to raise awareness about fostering a safe and inclusive travel environment in Sri Lanka. Summit Equality was more than a physical challenge; it was a symbolic endeavour to challenge societal norms and dismantle barriers. Our goal was to create a world where everyone can travel safely, irrespective of their gender, race, or identity. Through this adventure, we aimed to inspire change and pave the way for a more equitable and accessible travel landscape for all.

1. Can you share how your deep and profound connection with the ocean, driven by a desire to safeguard and preserve it, first began?

My deep connection with the ocean began by simply living next to it, just 100 metres away. The ocean was a constant presence, supporting me through life’s challenges. Being in Sri Lanka, I realised the ocean’s importance in our lives, especially as it provides every second breath we take. This awareness highlighted the lack of attention given to marine science. The ocean, often overlooked, embodies life, resilience, and mystery. Its significance inspired me to advocate for its protection and bridge the knowledge gap about its vital role in our existence.

1. What are the purpose, core pillars, and efforts behind founding OceanBiome?
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The purpose behind founding OceanBiome was rooted in my passion for the ocean and a desire to address the challenges plaguing its ecosystem. After completing my Advanced Level exam, I took a gap year to explore various fields, eventually realising my deep connection with the ocean. With guidance from Aravinth, Kishoth, and DreamSpace Academy, I delved into my first project, building an underwater glider. Through this project, I encountered significant issues within the ocean ecosystem. It became evident that these challenges were too immense for one person to tackle alone; a community effort was needed. Inspired, I reached out to a WhatsApp group of six friends, all of whom shared my passion. Together, we united under the common goal of ocean conservation and founded OceanBiome. Our core pillars are rooted in community collaboration, scientific innovation, and environmental education. Through collective efforts and with the support of DreamSpace Academy, OceanBiome strives to make a meaningful difference in preserving our oceans for future generations.

1. I’ve noticed that you possess an intriguing and simplified perspective of innovation. What does innovation mean to you? 

To me, innovation represents a simple yet powerful concept: it’s a solution derived from identifying and addressing an underlying problem. Anyone can be an innovator if they keenly perceive a problem and work towards solving it.

In Sri Lanka, there is a significant issue: the lack of modern infrastructure for measuring and monitoring water ecosystems. This is crucial for scientific research, especially in an ecosystem rapidly changing due to various weather conditions. Being an island nation, this gap was especially concerning. In response, I developed a prototype of an underwater glider using an existing open-source project. This autonomous vehicle operates on the water’s surface, providing real-time data on essential parameters like pH, temperature, and salinity. This innovation aimed not only to fill a critical gap in scientific research but also to pave the way for better understanding and conservation of our marine environments.

1. How do you address the challenge of social stress in your journey? 

Earlier I had a lot of social stress. Earlier I didn’t have the maturity to handle social stress. I went into serious depression. Society will react through the learning that they got throughout their life span and I will react throughout the learnings of my life. After a certain point, I started accepting society as they are and started moving forward with my career. 

1. What does making a change mean to you?

Making a change, to me, means starting with oneself. It’s personal, involving small steps towards a better future. It’s about taking responsibility for our actions, showing kindness, and inspiring others through simple acts of goodness.

1. What’s one piece of advice you would offer to a youngster in Sri Lanka who has a dream that everyone around them deems impossible to achieve?

Take care of your physical and mental health. Be happy and do what makes you happy. Even if your dream is hard to achieve, if it brings you joy, keep pushing forward and learn from the challenges. Your happiness will guide you through.