Sayuru, powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, partnered with Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) on World Ocean Day in a shared mission to advance sustainable development initiatives for ocean conservation and waste management, which is also aligned with the 2023 environment day theme of Beating Plastic Pollution.
As part of this collaboration, Sayuru will actively engage in projects and initiatives that address social and environmental challenges in an effort to make a positive difference in the lives of the coastal community. This partnership aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Further, this initiative will conduct a range of awareness programmes addressing crucial environmental issues such as the reduction of pollution in mangroves, coral reefs, turtles, coastal protection, and pollution in coastal ports to emphasise the importance of environmental preservation. In addition, Dialog plans to launch the feature-rich Sayuru smartphone app, which will support the fisheries industry and provide location services even without an internet connection, where Dialog users can enjoy free data usage when accessing the app.
Launched in 2020, Sayuru is a free and trilingual Interactive Voice Response (IVR) weather advisory service developed in collaboration with the Department of Meteorology and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to provide daily forecasts tailored to their locations along the coast of the island. In emergency situations, voice messages in the fisherman’s preferred language are dispatched by Sayuru using Outbound Dialing (OBD) technology, to help ensure their safety.
The partnership between Sayuru and MEPA reinforces Dialog’s commitment to sustainable development and its dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of coastal communities. Together, they aim to foster a cleaner and healthier marine environment for future generations.