News
Recovering From The Crisis Without Further Harm To The Environment
21st July 6 pm via Zoom and FB Live
The monumental decision taken in May 2021, by the Sri Lankan Government (GOSL), to ban the imports of inorganic fertilizers and switch to organic fertilizers has had devastating impacts on agricultural production and food security and now threatening the survival of the Sri Lankan population. This has resulted in the GOSL turning towards another short-term solution, to release all the lands within protected areas, or designated for protection, for the purpose of increasing cultivation.
Sri Lanka’s Protected Area (PA) network covers 26.5% of the total area of the island. It consists of intact wet and dry zone forest ecosystems that harbour wildlife. The PA network provides a wealth of ecosystem services and goods that are vital for the sustenance of humans and animals alike. Sri Lanka, along with the Western Ghats, is identified as one of the 35 global biodiversity hotspots. The total annual economic value of the protected areas has been estimated to range from US $ 3.5 billion to US $ 138.8 billion.
The question, therefore, arises as to whether the principles of conservation have to be compromised for the sake of the food requirements of the people of this country, or are their possible arrangements that will ensure the survival of both? This matter of considerable importance is to be discussed and debated between two giants of science and research in this field.
Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda is a biodiversity scientist. He has more than 60 research papers to his credit, in addition to authoring several books on Sri Lanka’s fauna and flora, through the Wildlife Heritage Trust (WHT), a foundation he endowed in 1991. He has won wide international recognition for his work, including a Rolex Award and more recently the Linnaean Medal which is considered as the Nobel Prize for Naturalists,
Prof. Devaka Weerakoon is a strong education professional with a PhD in Biological Science from Illinois State University. He is skilled in Conservation Biology, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Ecology, Human-Wildlife Conflict and Wetland Management.This is a must for all interested in conservation and the environment. The Nations Trust WNPS Public Lecture is presented in association with Nations Trust Bank and open to all. Join us via https://bit.ly/3yA7HDj
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
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