Business

Conservation now a business imperative, WNPS tells corporate sector

Published

3 weeks ago

2026/05/26

The felicitation of speakers at the end of the WNPS event

Environmental crises in Sri Lanka are no longer merely conservation issues but constitute an economic and corporate survival challenge that directly threatens the country’s water security, agriculture, exports and long-term business sustainability, speakers at the latest monthly lecture of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) warned on Thursday.

At a time when climate shocks, biodiversity collapse and environmental degradation are beginning to impact supply chains, tourism, food production and investor confidence, the lecture titled “Conservation in Action: Driving Impact – Hill Country to Courtrooms: Science, Community and the Next Generation in Action” highlighted how conservation is increasingly becoming intertwined with economics, corporate governance and national resilience.

Held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall with support from Nations Trust Bank, the event drew leading corporate executives, conservationists, lawyers, architects, researchers and youth leaders.

Corporate leader and conservation advocate Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne delivered one of the strongest messages of the evening, stressing that Sri Lanka’s montane ecosystems were effectively the economic backbone of the nation.

“You block up the montane region, we lose our water, our agriculture and our exports, he said.

His remarks reflected a growing global shift where environmental protection is increasingly viewed not as philanthropy, but as a strategic investment linked directly to economic continuity and climate resilience.

Wijeyeratne explained how the WNPS-led “Plant” initiative has rapidly evolved into one of Sri Lanka’s most ambitious privately supported ecological restoration programmes, demonstrating how businesses can move beyond traditional corporate social responsibility into measurable environmental investment.

Within just five years, the initiative has begun restoring around 200 acres of degraded landscapes while establishing approximately 30 kilometres of ecological corridors in the central highlands.

Importantly, he said, the programme was designed not to centralise conservation under a single organisation but to create a scalable model for wider private-sector adoption.

“We are not trying to become the answer. Plant is meant to prove that private-sector-led restoration is possible and that businesses can actively participate in rebuilding ecosystems, he said.

The initiative already involves partnerships with multiple private-sector stakeholders investing in ecological restoration in the hill country — an area critical to tea, hydropower, water resources and downstream agriculture.

One of the clearest examples discussed during the lecture was the growing collaboration between conservationists and Sri Lanka’s architectural and urban planning sectors.

Following discussions initiated at the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, the prestigious Geoffrey Bawa architectural awards were restructured into the “Monamal Award,” recognising projects that integrate biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and environmentally sensitive design.

“This is about redefining what good development means, Wijeyeratne said.

“The future gold standard of architecture must be buildings and landscapes that embrace ecosystems rather than destroy them.”

The lecture also explored how climate change is reshaping social vulnerability and labour resilience — key concerns for businesses operating in agriculture, plantations and rural economies.

Wildlife photographer and conservationist Riaz Cader highlighted another emerging business concern — the growing interaction between wildlife and human-dominated production landscapes.

Supported by LOLC Holdings, the WNPS leopard conservation initiative has established research stations in Belihuloya and Kotagala to study leopards living within tea plantation regions.

Using community-based data collection, camera trap technology and local informer networks, researchers are mapping leopard movement, conflict zones and habitat fragmentation across estate landscapes.

Cader noted that increasing human pressure had altered leopard behaviour significantly.

“We have effectively pushed many of these leopards into nocturnal behaviour because of constant human activity, he said.

The research has major implications for plantation management, land-use planning and biodiversity compliance standards increasingly demanded by global markets and sustainability certification bodies.

Cader also pointed to encouraging signs emerging from restored habitats such as Budunwala, where camera traps recorded a mother leopard and cub moving freely during daylight hours — behaviour rarely observed in heavily disturbed environments.

Researchers have additionally documented elusive rusty-spotted cats and pangolins at restoration sites, reinforcing the ecological value of reconnecting fragmented landscapes.

Beyond biodiversity outcomes, the restoration programmes are generating direct socio-economic benefits.

The lecture further revealed how conservation organisations are increasingly engaging with law enforcement and governance systems to combat environmental crime — another growing risk area with economic implications.

WNPS recently launched a specialised police training programme at the Rodella Hill Club aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, snaring and poaching in the hill country.

Speakers warned that organised wildlife crime, habitat destruction and illegal exploitation of natural resources continue to undermine both biodiversity and sustainable economic development.

Questions from the audience also broadened the discussion into marine ecosystems and blue economy concerns, including the lingering environmental and economic fallout from the X-Press Pearl Disaster.

WNPS officials said their marine subcommittee was actively engaged in mangrove restoration, blue carbon ecosystem protection and marine conservation initiatives.

They noted that Sri Lanka’s mangrove restoration efforts had already received international recognition through UN-backed environmental awards.

Throughout the evening, speakers repeatedly stressed that conservation is no longer the exclusive responsibility of scientists or environmental activists.

By Ifham Nizam

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Business

UNDP, Central Bank deepen financial literacy drive to build economic resilience

Published

13 hours ago

2026/06/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ms. Azusa Kubota and Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

By Ifham Nizam

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have strengthened their partnership to advance financial literacy across the country, with a renewed focus on empowering vulnerable communities, strengthening economic resilience and promoting sustainable development.

The two institutions formally launched the second phase of their collaboration recently, reaffirming their commitment to implementing Sri Lanka’s National Financial Literacy Roadmap (2024–2028), a cornerstone of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

The partnership was marked by a meeting between Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Ms. Azusa Kubota, together with officials from both organisations.

Building on technical support provided by UNDP during 2024 and 2025, the latest phase seeks to equip individuals, households and businesses with the knowledge required to make sound financial decisions, improve livelihoods and enhance resilience in an increasingly uncertain economic and climatic environment.

The initiative comes at a crucial juncture as Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery while grappling with climate-related challenges that disproportionately affect rural communities and small enterprises.

A key component of the programme will be strengthening the capacity of government outreach officers across all districts to deliver financial literacy training to rural populations and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The training will be based on the Financial Literacy Curriculum developed by the Central Bank, with UNDP supporting the enhancement of modules through the integration of climate-resilient financial management concepts.

The programme aligns closely with Sri Lanka’s Financial Literacy Roadmap and is expected to contribute significantly to improving financial knowledge and access across the country. It is supported by several development and private-sector partners, including the government of Japan, Chrysalis, VISA and Hirdaramani-Lacoste.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Central Bank Governor Dr. Weerasinghe said the partnership would help broaden the reach of financial literacy efforts while addressing emerging challenges such as climate-related financial risks.

“We particularly welcome the focus on strengthening financial resilience, climate-related financial preparedness, public awareness campaigns and capacity-building through Training-of-Trainers programmes, he said.

He noted that the initiatives would ensure that different segments of society gain access to practical financial knowledge and develop the skills necessary to foster responsible financial behaviour and improve their overall financial well-being.

UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Kubota underscored the critical role financial literacy plays in creating inclusive and resilient economies.

“Financial literacy is a critical foundation for inclusive and resilient economies. Through our partnership with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, we have been working to empower individuals, particularly those most vulnerable, with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions and build secure livelihoods, she said.

Business

National Export Development Plan (2026–2030) presented to the President

Published

14 hours ago

2026/06/17

Priyan

Marking an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s economic development, the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2026–2030 was presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday morning (16) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The 2026–2030 National Export Development Plan (NEDP) is a key national programme formulated in line with the Government’s policy direction under the 2025 Budget. It aims to strengthen the country’s export sector and achieve export-led sustainable economic growth.

The strategic plan has been developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the leadership of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), with technical assistance provided through the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Policy-Based Lending (PBL) programme. It is the result of an extensive consultative process carried out in close collaboration with key government institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners.

The proposal submitted by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to recognise the “Sri Lanka National Export Development Plan 2026–2030” as the official strategic framework for export development and promotion in Sri Lanka was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 4 May 2026. The Plan reflects a broad consensus among government institutions, private sector experts, and international development partners.

In line with the national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, the Plan has been formulated to enhance Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness and achieve an export revenue target of USD 36 billion by 2030.

The core vision of the Plan is to transform Sri Lanka into a competitive logistics and knowledge-based export hub serving regional and global markets. The strategy is based on two key interconnected pillars: “horizontals” and “verticals”, which together provide the foundation for strengthening export competitiveness, diversification, and sustainable growth.

The horizontal enablers, which support the growth and expansion of all priority sectors, include logistics and integrated hub operations, trade facilitation, trade finance and reforms in the business and investment environment, trade promotion and market linkages, quality management, standards, environmental, social and governance (ESG) capacity development, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Plan also identifies eight priority export sectors to enhance export diversification and value addition, and to position Sri Lanka more competitively in global markets. These include automotive components, mineral-based industries, rubber-based industries, maritime industries (including boat and shipbuilding), spices and concentrates, digital products and services, electrical and electronic equipment, and processed food and beverages.

The preparation of the Plan involved contributions from over 300 stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and international development partners. Broad consensus was achieved through consultations held from October to December 2025 and workshops conducted in January 2026.

The Government expects that, with implementation supported by strong governance and monitoring framework, the Plan will elevate local products to international standards and ensure long-term economic stability and growth. It is further anticipated that the National Export Development Plan will serve as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic progress in the years ahead.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Russell Aponso, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe were also present at the event.

[PMD]

Business

Handunnetti unveils state-led mineral strategy to unlock hidden wealth

Published

16 hours ago

2026/06/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sunil Handunnetti

The government’s decision to ban the export of mineral resources in raw form and place all future mineral exploration under state control has triggered fresh debate over how Sri Lanka should develop its untapped mineral wealth and attract foreign investment.

Announcing the new National Mineral Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the country had long failed to capture the full value of its mineral resources by exporting them with minimal processing.

“We will no longer allow mineral resources to leave the country in raw form,” the minister said, arguing that Sri Lanka must move towards value-added industries that generate greater economic returns.

A key feature of the new policy is the transfer of all mineral exploration activities to the state-run Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). Under the new system, the GSMB will carry out exploration, publish geological data and subsequently invite investors to participate in commercially viable projects.

Handunnetti defended the move by citing what he described as the failure of the previous licensing regime. According to government figures, 471 exploration licences had been issued since 1993, but only 28 advanced to mining operations, with just 12 remaining active today. The minister alleged that some companies had used exploration licences to boost corporate valuations rather than develop actual mining projects.

He also stressed that mineral deposits located beneath privately owned land belong to the state and should be developed in the national interest.

However, the reforms are likely to attract close scrutiny from foreign investors seeking opportunities in Sri Lanka’s mineral sector.

An independent industry analyst said the policy’s emphasis on value addition is consistent with global trends, as countries increasingly seek to process critical minerals domestically rather than export raw materials.

“The more difficult question is whether a state-controlled exploration model can generate the confidence required by international investors,” the analyst said. “Investors will want access to reliable geological data, transparent licensing procedures and predictable regulations before committing significant capital.”

The analyst noted that the government’s plan to publish exploration data before inviting investment proposals could help improve transparency, but its success would depend on how scientifically the process is implemented.

Sri Lanka possesses commercially valuable deposits of graphite, mineral sands, ilmenite, rutile, garnet, silica and phosphate. As global demand for industrial and strategic minerals continues to grow, the new policy represents a significant test of whether stronger state involvement can translate geological potential into investment, industrial development and export earnings.

“The success of the strategy may ultimately depend on whether the government can balance tighter control over mineral resources with the policy certainty and commercial incentives that international investors typically seek,” the analyst said.

By Sanath Nanayakkare