Kosgoda is home to the west coast s biggest and longest established turtle hatchery . As at the Bentota Sea Turtles this was originally established as an independent local venture, through the project has now been taken over by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Turtle eggs are bought from local fishermen and reburied in safe locations; once hatched, the babies are kept here for a few days before being: released into the sea the short time they spend growing stronger in captivity gives them significantly higher chances of surviving when returned to the ocean.