Life style
Guardians of the Night: The Secret Life of Sri Lanka’s Frogmouth
When dusk falls across the rain-soaked forests of Sinharaja, a low, rasping call echoes through the canopy — neither frog nor owl, but something eerily in between. It belongs to the Sri Lanka Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), one of the most secretive birds ever to inhabit the island’s forests. Its strange croak seems to rise from the mist itself — an ancient whisper from the treetops.
For Suranjan Karunaratne, an ecologist with the Nature Explorations and Education Team, this haunting sound became a lifelong fascination.
Speaking to The Island, he said: “It was like finding a ghost in the forest,” he recalls. “The bird was perched motionless, its feathers blending so perfectly with the bark that even my camera couldn’t distinguish it from a branch.”
That “ghost” became the subject of Sri Lanka’s first comprehensive, 20-year study on the species — research that has redefined what we know about one of Asia’s most enigmatic nocturnal birds.
A Two-Decade Search for Shadows
Between 1998 and 2018, Karunaratne and his collaborators traversed the length and breadth of the island — from the misty lowlands of Sinharaja to the scrublands of Yala and the arid forests of Hambantota. Their work, recently published in Ardeola, the journal of the Spanish Ornithological Society, mapped the distribution, habitat associations, and conservation status of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth with unprecedented precision.
The project brought together a powerhouse team of Sri Lankan and international researchers, including Salindra K. Dayananda, Dinesh Gabadage, Madhava Botejue, Majintha Madawala, Indika Peabotuwage, Buddhika Madurapperuma, Manjula Ranagalage, Asanka Udayakumara, and Prof. Thilina Surasinghe, who led the modelling work from Bridgewater State University, USA.
“This was no short-term study,” Karunaratne says proudly. “It took years of patient night work — sometimes returning from the field at 2 a.m., drenched, bitten by leeches, but exhilarated by a single call.”
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- Perfect camouflage — the “ghost of the forest” vanishes into the bark. (Photo: Mahesh de Silva)
A Forest Specialist
The team’s findings confirmed the frogmouth’s status as a true forest specialist. The species was found in 18 percent of the 249 survey sites, spread across all of Sri Lanka’s major bioclimatic zones — wet, intermediate, dry, and arid. Yet 90 percent of sightings were in forested areas, highlighting its extreme dependence on intact ecosystems.
“It simply cannot survive in heavily degraded habitats,” Karunaratne notes. “That makes it a perfect indicator of forest health.”
The frogmouth’s range extended from 11 metres above sea level to about 767 metres, confirming its preference for low-elevation rainforests and evergreen forests. Its camouflaged plumage, nocturnal habits, and motionless roosting posture make it nearly impossible to detect — a natural master of disguise.
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- Female frogmouth shielding her nestling in stillness. (Photo: Suranjan Karunaratne)
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- Male Sri Lanka Frogmouth guarding a 12-day-old chick at night. (Photo: Suranjan Karunaratne)
Listening to the Forest
To locate these secretive birds, the researchers used a combination of visual surveys and call recognition, often navigating rough terrain at night. Over two decades, they documented the frogmouth’s calls, nesting sites, and habitat preferences, revealing patterns that were previously unknown.
The team employed cutting-edge geospatial analysis using Google Earth Engine and Landsat imagery to map land-cover changes around the frogmouth’s habitats. The results were sobering: 535.9 square kilometres of forest were lost between 1998 and 2018, with an annual loss of nearly 27 km².
Suranjan Karunaratne
“Forest loss is the single biggest threat,” warns Karunaratne. “The frogmouth depends on large tracts of undisturbed forest. When those are fragmented, its populations collapse silently.”
An Evolving Range
Perhaps the most striking discovery was that the frogmouth’s range is far wider than previously thought. Traditionally believed to be confined to the southwestern rainforests, it was also recorded in the dry and arid zones — from Maduru Oya to Yala and even the southeast plains.
“We were surprised to find it calling in unexpected places,” Karunaratne admits. “This suggests that older, mature secondary forests may now serve as refuges, especially where primary forests have vanished.”
The team’s Habitat Suitability Model (HSM) predicts that the southwestern lowlands will remain the stronghold of the species, while climate change could make mid-elevation forests more suitable by 2050.
A Fragile Sentinel
In ecology, the frogmouth is what scientists call a sentinel species — its presence signals the health of an ecosystem.
“If the frogmouth disappears, it means the forest has crossed a threshold of damage,” Karunaratne says. “It is nature’s quiet warning.”
The bird’s behaviour underscores its fragility. It avoids human settlements, tourist trails, and even faint noise pollution. Its nesting success depends on complete stillness; both male and female share incubation duties, each guarding the nest in total silence.
Conservation and Hope
Currently, the Sri Lanka Frogmouth is listed as ‘Least Concern’ by both the global IUCN Red List and the National Red List. But the study’s authors believe this underestimates the risks.
“We recommend that its status be upgraded to ‘Near Threatened’,” says Karunaratne. “It may be regionally common, but it’s locally rare — found in small, isolated pockets that are vanishing fast.”
The team urges conservation planners to protect mature secondary forests — often dismissed as “degraded” — because these areas now harbour viable frogmouth populations.
“Sri Lanka’s secondary forests are hundreds of years old,” Karunaratne adds. “They’ve regained enough complexity to support wildlife. Protecting them could make the difference between survival and extinction for species like the frogmouth.”
The Whispering Forest
In the stillness of the rainforest night, when the moonlight filters through lianas and mist, the frogmouth’s hoarse croak carries far — a sound that few have heard, yet one that defines the mystery of Sri Lanka’s wilderness.
For Suranjan Karunaratne, that sound is both a warning and a gift.
“It reminds us that there’s another world in our forests — one that wakes when we sleep. Protecting it means protecting our own future.”
As he and his colleagues continue to monitor these spectral birds, one message echoes through their research: listen to the night, before it falls silent.
By Ifham Nizam ✍️
Salman Faiz has turned his family legacy into a modern sensory empire. Educated in London, he returned to Sri Lanka with a global perspective and a refined vision, transforming the family legacy into a modern sensory powerhouse blending flavours,colours and fragrances to craft immersive sensory experiences from elegant fine fragrances to natural essential oils and offering brand offerings in Sri Lanka. Growing up in a world perfumed with possibility, Aromatic Laboratories (Pvt) Limited founded by his father he has immersed himself from an early age in the delicate alchemy of fragrances, flavours and essential oils.
Salman Faiz did not step into Aromatic Laboratories Pvt Limited, he stepped into a world already alive with fragrance, precision and quiet ambition. Long before he became the Chairman of this large enterprise, founded by his father M. A. Faiz and uncle M.R. Mansoor his inheritance was being shaped in laboratories perfumed with possibility and in conversations that stretched from Colombo to outside the shores of Sri Lanka, where his father forged early international ties, with the world of fine fragrance.
Growing up amidst raw materials sourced from the world’s most respected fragrance houses, Salman Faiz absorbed the discipline of formulation and the poetry of aroma almost by instinct. When Salman stepped into the role of Chairman, he expanded the company’s scope from a trusted supplier into a fully integrated sensory solution provider. The scope of operations included manufacturing of flavours, fragrances, food colours and ingredients, essential oils and bespoke formulations including cosmetic ingredients. They are also leading supplier of premium fragrances for the cosmetic,personal care and wellness sectors Soon the business boomed, and the company strengthened its international sourcing, introduced contemporary product lines and extended its footprint beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.
Where raw materials transform into refined fragrance
Salman Faiz -carrying forward a legacy
Today, Aromatic Laboratories stands as a rare example of a second generation. Sri Lankan enterprise that has retained its soul while embracing scale and sophistication. Under Salman Faiz’s leadership, the company continues to honour his father’s founding philosophy that every scent and flavour carries a memory, or story,and a human touch. He imbibed his father’s policy that success was measured not by profit alone but the care taken in creation, the relationships matured with suppliers and the trust earned by clients.
“We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fragrances, dealing with imports,exports in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications. We also source our raw materials from leading French company Roberte’t in Grasse
Following his father, for Salman even in moments of challenge, he insisted on grace over haste, quality over conveniences and long term vision over immediate reward under Salman Faiz’s stewardship the business has evolved from a trusted family enterprise into a modern sensory powerhouse.
Now the company exports globally to France, Germany, the UK, the UAE, the Maldives and collaborates with several international perfumes and introduces contemporary products that reflect both sophistication and tradition.
We are one of the leading companies. We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fine and industrial fragrance in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications said Faiz
‘We also source our raw materials from renowned companies, in Germany, France, Dubai,Germany and many others.Our connection with Robertet, a leading French parfume House in Grasse, France runs deep, my father has been working closely with the iconic French company for years, laying the foundation for the partnership, We continue even today says Faiz”
Today this business stands as a rare example of second generation Sri Lankan entrepreneurship that retains its souls while embracing scale and modernity. Every aroma, every colour and every flavour is imbued with the care, discipline, and vision passed down from father to son – a living legacy perfected under Salmon Faiz’s guidance.
By Zanita Careem
Harini and Chanaka cultivating change
When Harini and Chanaka Mallikarachchi returned to Sri Lanka after more than ten years in the United States, it wasn’t nostalgia alone that they brought home . It was purpose.Beneath the polished resumes and strong computer science backgrounds lay something far more personal- longing to reconnect with the land, and to give back to the country that shaped their memories. From that quiet but powerful decision was born Agri Vision not just an agricultural venture but a community driven movement grounded in sustainability ,empowerment and heritage. They transform agriculture through a software product developed by Avya Technologies (Pvt Limited) Combining global expertise with a deep love for their homeland, they created a pioneering platform that empowers local farmers and introduce innovative, sustainable solutions to the country’s agri sector.
After living for many years building lives and careers in theUnited States, Harini and Chanaka felt a powerful pull back to their roots. With impressive careers in the computer and IT sector, gaining global experience and expertise yet, despite their success abroad, their hearts remained tied to Sri Lanka – connection that inspired their return where they now channel their technological know-how to advance local agriculture.
For Harini and Chanaka, the visionaries behind Agri Vision are redefining sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. With a passion for innovation and community impact, they have built Agri Vision into a hub for advanced agri solutions, blending global expertise with local insight.
In Sri Lanka’s evolving agricultural landscape, where sustainability and authenticity are no longer optional but essential. Harini and Chanaka are shaping a vision that is both rooted and forward looking. In the heart of Lanka’s countryside, Uruwela estate Harini and Chanaka alongside the ever inspiring sister Malathi, the trio drives Agri Vision an initiative that fuses cutting edge technology with age old agricultural wisdom. At the core of their agri philosophy lies two carefully nurtured brands artisan tea and pure cinnamon, each reflecting a commitment to quality, heritage and people.
Armed with global exposure and professional backgrounds in the technology sector,they chose to channel thier experiences into agriculture, believing that true progress begins at home.
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- Avya Technologies (Pvt) ltd software company that developed Agri Vision
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- Chanaka,Harini and Shakya Mallikarachchi and Malathi Malathi dias (middle)
But the story of Agri Vision is as much about relationships as it is about technology. Harini with her sharp analytical mind, ensures the operations runs seamlessly Chanaka, the strategist looks outward, connecting Agri Vision to globally best practices and Malathi is their wind behind the wings, ensures every project maintains a personal community focussed ethos. They cultivate hope, opportunity and a blueprint for a future where agriculture serves both the land and the people who depend on it .
For the trio, agriculture is not merely about cultivation, it is about connection. It is about understanding the rhythm of the land, respecting generations of farming knowledge, and that growth is shared by the communities that sustain it. This belief forms the backbone of Agro’s vision, one that places communities not only on the periphery, but at the very heart of every endeavour.
Artisan tea is a celebration of craft and origin sourced from selected growing regions and produced with meticulous attention to detail, the tea embodier purity, traceability and refinement, each leaf is carefully handled to preserve character and flavour, reflecting Sri Lanka’s enduring legacy as a world class tea origin while appealing to a new generation of conscious consumers complementing this is pure Cinnamon, a tribute to authentic Ceylon, Cinnamon. In a market saturated with substitutes, Agri vision’s commitment to genuine sourcing and ethical processing stands firm.
By working closely with cinnamon growers and adhering to traditional harvesting methods, the brands safeguards both quality and cultural heritage.
What truly distinguishes Harini and Chanake’s Agri Vision is their community approach. By building long term partnerships with smallholders. Farmers, the company ensures fair practises, skill development and sustainable livelihoods, These relationships foster trust and resilience, creating an ecosystem where farmers are valued stakeholders in the journey, not just suppliers.
Agri vision integrates sustainable practices and global quality standards without compromising authenticity. This harmony allows Artisan Tea and Pure Cinnamon to resonate beyond borders, carrying with them stories of land, people and purpose.
As the brands continue to grow Harini and Chanaka remain anchored in their founding belief that success of agriculture is by the strength of the communities nurtured along the way. In every leaf of tea and every quill of cinnamon lies a simple yet powerful vision – Agriculture with communities at heart.
By Zanita Careem
Courtyard by Marriott Colombo has welcomed Suranga Peelikumbura as its new General Manager, ushering in a chapter defined by vision, warmth, and global sophistication.
Suranga’s story is one of both breadth and depth. Over two decades, he has carried the Marriott spirit across continents, from the shimmering luxury of The Ritz-Carlton in Doha to the refined hospitality of Ireland, and most recently to the helm of Resplendent Ceylon as Vice President of Operations. His journey reflects not only international mastery but also a devotion to Sri Lanka’s own hospitality narrative.
What distinguishes Suranga is not simply his credentials but the philosophy that guides him. “Relationships come first, whether with our associates, guests, partners, or vendors. Business may follow, but it is the strength of these connections that defines us.” It is this belief, rooted in both global perspective and local heart, that now shapes his leadership at Courtyard Colombo.
At a recent gathering of corporate leaders, travel partners, and media friends, Suranga paid tribute to outgoing General Manager Elton Hurtis, hon oring his vision and the opportunities he created for associates to flourish across the Marriott world. With deep respect for that legacy, Suranga now steps forward to elevate guest experiences, strengthen community ties, and continue the tradition of excellence that defines Courtyard Colombo.
From his beginnings at The Lanka Oberoi and Cinnamon Grand Colombo to his leadership roles at Weligama Bay Marriott and Resplendent Ceylon, Suranga’s career is a testament to both resilience and refinement. His return to Marriott is not merely a professional milestone, it is a homecoming.
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