Fit Row

The official launching of the Academy of Eco-Tourism, Wildlife and Nature Interpretation Sri Lanka (AEWNI) and the introduction of Higher certificate course in Ecotourism, Wildlife and Nature Interpretationwas held on 24th of January 2020 at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura with the participation of Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, Acting Vice Chancellor, Mr. Anuruddha Bandara, CEO, Eco Team Pvt Ltd., and Dr. Priyan Perera, Director of Center for Sustainability, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The Center for Sustainability will offer a certificate course in Ecotourism, Wildlife and Nature Interpretation through the Academy by providing academic and professional qualifications to those who are employed as naturalists, nature interpreters and guides.    

University of Sri Jayewardenepura has recognized importance of managing its own carbon footprint as a prompt response for the Climate Action. According to a concept of Director Sustainability, Dr. Priyan Perera along with the collaboration of the Forest Department and the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment this programme was launched. Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the USJ and Forest Department on 9th of October, 2019 at the auditorium of Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment. The event was held under the patronage of Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, State Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Mr. W.A.C. Weragoda, Conservator General of Forests and Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, former Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 400 hectares of Karuwalagaswewa in Puttalam District will be reforested by USJ while aiding to increase the forest cover of Sri Lanka. Thus, this forest area will act as a carbon sink to neutralise carbon footprint of the university. Center for Sustainability of University of Sri Jayewardenapura has put a giant step forward among the history of state universities to step in as the First Carbon Neutral University by going beyond in its measures to achieve the standard of ISO 14064.

Mangroves are one of the major ecosystems in Sri Lanka that provide numerous ecosystem services. However, mangroves in Sri Lanka face multiple threats and are fast disappearing despite the essential services they provide to support the livelihoods of local people. Recognizing the invaluable role a state university can play in the conservation of mangrove ecosystems while providing sustainable economic opportunities for local communities, an alumnus of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda has donated a 2 acre mangrove-dominated land located in Ittapana, Walallawita DS Division, in Kalutara District to establish a Mangrove Resource Center. The 2-acre land borders the Bentota River and includes a building that can be used to establish the Mangrove Resource Center. A successful mangrove conservation and community development project had been carried out at the same location under the guidance of Dr. Batagoda 15 year ago, and it is expected to initiate a similar venture with improved educational, conservation, and economic opportunities where the new Mangrove Resource Center will function as a model eco-venture. The proposed center will operate under the directions and support of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science academics and the community-based business development aspects will be handled by the University Business Linkage Cell.

Members of the Lions Club and Leo Club District 306C1 participated in a tree planting program at Karuwalagaswewa on 6th February 2021. An area of 1 acre was restored under the preliminary program which is part of the 1000 acre forest land the Center for Sustainability has pledge to restore.

A sustainable approach towards managing the environment has become a vital need at the present where most of the living creatures have become extinct. Anthropogenic activities are the main cause for the destruction of faunal and floral diversity. Sharing of ideas, research and opinions of expertise are crucial to overcome these global issues. Therefore, The International Conference on the Biodiversity and Environment management 2021 (BEM’21) is a great platform which integrates the sustainable innovates of renowned experts from different scopes. This conference will be held on 5th and 6th November 2021 in an online platform .This will be chaired by the Director of Center for Sustainability Dr. Priyan Perera while Prof. Sarath Kotagama, Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan, Prof. Scott Denning present as Keynote Speakers of the event. Tracks of this event are Biodiversity and Wildlife, Forestry and Ecology, Waste Management, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, Covid and Environment, Aquatic ecosystems, Ethnobiology and Environment Law, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Pollution and Green Technologies. Academic Partner of this event is the Center for Sustainability, Department of Forestry and Environment Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and this will be organized by the iconferences.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC comes on board to fund the establishment of a new Mangrove Resource Center at Ittapana Recognizing the invaluable role a state university can play in the conservation of mangrove ecosystems while providing sustainable economic opportunities for local communities, the Citizens Development Business Finance PLC has come on board to support the establishment of the new Mangrove Resource Center of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Accordingly, an MoU was signed between the Citizens Development Business Finance PLC and the Center for Sustainability, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.