In April 2019, Kayankerni Reef was officially gazetted by the Ministry of Tourism and Lands under the provisions articulated in the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and it was declared as a sanctuary by the Department of Wildlife Conservation after the gazette approval obtained from the Ministry of Tourism and Lands.
[3][4] Approximately 953 ha (2,350 acres) of land within the distance covering Korale Pattu - North Divisional Secretary's Division in the Batticaloa District, Eastern Province were officially declared as the Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary with immediate effect as of 11 April 2019.
[5] Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary was declared as a protected site considering the potential threats of degradation of the coral reef in the area owing to illegal human activities.
[5] Marine Environment Protection Authority issued warnings about the coral bleaching due to climate change and the impact of illegal fishing activities which were proven detrimental to the coral reefs in Sri Lanka including the reefs at Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary.
[6] In 2024, Commercial Bank of Ceylon volunteered to pledge its commitment to safeguard and conserve the Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary by joining in as a partner of Biodiversity Sri Lanka for the "Life to Our Coral Reefs" project.