As everyone knows, last December’s tsunami was a horrific disaster for people.  And while certainly not nearly as important, it is also sad to report that the event was also devastating for marine turtles as well.  For decades, conservationists have struggled to find solutions to preserve the five types of rare marine turtles found on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Sadly, as a result of the tsunami, many of the conservation sites and hatcheries were destroyed along with thousands of turtle eggs along the coast.  With important tourist dollars continuing to stay away from the region — dollars used for conservation efforts — and fears of poaching about to resume, here’s hoping for a hard- shell solution to Sri Lanka’s difficult sea turtle problem.