The Otara Foundation is committed to responsible, sustainable progress in Sri Lanka. We work toward the common goal of co-existence through empowerment, activism and strategic investment. The Foundation believes in fostering harmony with the natural world, protecting the environment and respecting life and liberty in all its diversity. We believe in Compassion as a guiding principle, and we defend the rights of the voiceless while adhering to our own example of mindfulness in progress.
A group of students from MRU visited Embark on the 17th of May. They joined us for our Free Clinic, and learned about the work we do, street dog culture in Sri Lanka, and how local communities take care of owned dogs and community dogs. It was an educational day
The SemiColon Project in Sri Lanka, a support group for those going through mental health struggles, held a session titled ‘Paws for Gratitude’ at Embark on the 27th of May. The participants took a moment to detach from the hustle and bustle of life, slow down and reflect on their
Life in chains in Paradise hosted by RARE Sri Lanka to create awareness on the situation of captive elephants in Sri Lanka. Alongside Otara Gunawardena were many other learned panelists who shed light on this grave situation faced by elephants of Sri Lanka.
All the work at Embark operates under the Otara Foundation. In 2022 Embark assisted over 4,000 street dogs in the community with treatment, recovery and finding homes. We are grateful to our donors, volunteers, fosters and teammates who supported us to improve the lives of the street dogs of Sri Lanka. Rescue and rehabilitation of Street
The Otara Foundation recently sponsored the cleanup of the Attidiya Wildlife Sanctuary.Around 30 participants from Earth Guardians, Climate Action Now Sri Lanka and ExtinctionRebellion Sri Lanka participated in this cause. They were also joined by youth from theneighboring areas and together over 270kg of waste was collected.
Press statement on World Animal Day 2021. Otara has been the Ambassador for WorldAnimal Day, Sri Lanka since 2008. Click here to read full article; https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Happy-World-Animal-Day/131- 221676?fbclid=IwAR0Qn4jwWdJJzNw7TmIOrl8tOYJcW5mX05WPr3KXFQ- 0i0UUEGnz61B6FFk
Globally celebrated on October 4th each year, World Animal Day is a reminder that every animal has the right to co-exist with humans and to be treated with love, respect and have the right to a free life. As global World Animal Day Ambassador, in a media release, Otara Gunewardene
Otara spoke out against the recent wrongful release of 15 illegally captured elephants. She expressed her sadness and disappointment regarding the treatment of these sentient beings. Otara stated that “It is deeply upsetting to know that these wild animals will once again face life in chains, tormented by man.” She
As the third wave of the Corona Virus hits the country and with people of the communitycurrently under lockdown, vulnerable and hungry street dogs and cats are left to fend forthemselves on a daily basis. Team Embark sprang to action and has been carrying outfeeding rounds in the areas of
With rising reported incidents of deforestation around the country in 2020 and 2021, many youth, environment activists and concerned citizens recently gathered at the Viharamahadevi Park to voice their concerns. The event, “Climate Action to Stop Ecocide” was organized by the WNPS Youth Group which also coincided with Greta Thunberg’s
