NARA's Director of Research and Development, K. Arulananthan, told media that the move is due to the deaths of whales knocked by ships in the region. A number of whales have been reported killed in this way in the southern sea.

NARA proposes the shipping route be relocated 10 kilometers away from its present route.

The Sri Lankan Government has taken measures to obtain approval for the move from relevant international authorities.

Sri Lanka is known as a blue whale watching hotspot.

A high concentration of blue whales and sperm whales can normally been spotted in the seas off Dondra along the deep south coast during the months of January to April.