The Ministry of Environment has announced that 20 forests covering approximately 9,538 hectares will be gazetted as reserves tomorrow (26) under the “Wanaspathi” National Programme.

The forests are located across the Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ampara, Badulla, Vavuniya and Anuradhapura districts, and will be formally declared as reserves through a Gazette notification.

The relevant Gazette notification is scheduled to be officially presented at the Sri Lanka Forestry Institute in the Sandathanna area  tomorrow, under the patronage of Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi.

The 20 areas to be declared as reserves are the Elgin Conservation Forest, Balangala, Bambaragala, Rathagala, Gasthuwela–Aliyakanda–Kadawelana, Senagamuwa, Mudugala, Hirissagala, Karandagollakumbura 02, Walandakumbura 02, Periyawattakulam 02, Periyamadu 02, Puliyankulama 02, Puthukulam 02, Vannivilankulam 02, Karawamatha, Kallikulama, Madawachchiya, Muskawa and Nagama forests.

The move is being carried out under the “Wanaspathi” National Programme, which is aimed at protecting the country’s forest system.

According to the Ministry, the present Government, through the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Forest Conservation, has already gazetted 93 forests as reserves.

With the addition of the 20 forests to be gazetted tomorrow, the Ministry said the total land extent covered by the forest reserves gazetted under the initiative will reach approximately 65,000 hectares. (Newswire)

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Five forests in ecologically sensitive zones are scheduled to be declared as reserves on June 5, raising Sri Lanka’s total number of forest reserves to 86.

Minister of Environment Dhammika Patabendi announced the decision today (01) at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department.

The forests to be declared include Ritigala, Aliyawetunuwewa, Bulagala, Konkatiyawa, and Kallanchi. 

These areas have been identified as ecologically sensitive zones requiring special protection.

According to the Environment Ministry, 81 forests have already been gazetted as reserves under the forestry programme launched in 2025.

With the addition of the five new reserves, the overall count will rise to 86. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Environment has set up a special Ministerial Committee tasked with overseeing Sri Lanka’s national water conservation programs, including the gazetting of vital aquifers and monitoring protective mechanisms for both surface and underground water.

The committee, operating under the supervision of the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, will comprise experts from the Water Resources Board, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Ministry’s Natural Resources Management Division. 

Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody stated the need for a robust legal framework and community-led reforestation projects to safeguard identified water systems.

This initiative follows the launch of the “Thirasara Diyawara” National Program on World Water Day, aimed at securing and sustainably managing Sri Lanka’s surface and groundwater resources. 

The government is moving to identify and gazette the island’s aquifers, supported by Cabinet approval to completely amend the 62-year-old Water Resources Board Act to modernize the legal foundation for water security.

A preliminary discussion to establish the committee was held today (09) at the Ministry of Environment, chaired by Deputy Minister Jayakody, with participation from Water Resources Board General Manager R.M.B. Somaratne and senior officials of the CEA and the Natural Resources Management Division.

By leveraging community participation, the Ministry plans to officially commence the integrated conservation program in conjunction with the upcoming World Environment Day. (Newswire)

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A pair of ivory tusks of great value that was exhibited at the ministerial office of the Ministry of Environment has been returned to the Department of Wildlife. 

Minister Vijitha Herath, as the subject minister for Environment, Wildlife, and Forest Resources, took measures to return the ivory tusks.

Director General of the Wildlife Department M.G. Sooriyabandara yesterday officially took charge of the ivory tuskers, which are to be relocated to the Department soon. (Newswire)

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