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As part of the Youth Leadership for Climate Action (YLCA) initiative from the British Council Sri Lanka, in collaboration with Earthlanka Youth Network, a four-day in person training for Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) recently concluded at the Center for Sustainability (CFS), Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The YLCA program aimed to fill a critical gap identified through national youth consultations. Many young people in Sri Lanka lacked awareness, opportunities, and platforms to actively participate in climate action. Through YLCA, the British Council Network aims to empower a new generation of Sri Lankan youth with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to lead climate action and help build a greener, climate-resilient future. The recent training at CFS gathered 28 enthusiastic future Youth Climate Ambassadors from various academic and community backgrounds. Over four days of interactive learning, participants were led to deepen their understanding of climate change, sustainability, and community-based adaptation. They also developed leadership and project management skills to turn their ideas into action. At the end of the training, participants presented four innovative climate action projects. Each project aimed to create real environmental and social impacts within their communities. These projects show YLCA’s goal of promoting youth-driven solutions that blend scientific understanding with community engagement. Dr. Pasan Dunuwila, Senior Lecturer, Director of Center for Sustainability (CFS), Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura emphasized the importance of this activity by stating that “An inspiring gathering of 28 of our students, creative minds collaborating to develop bold climate action solutions. In the coming months, these student-driven initiatives will turn ideas into reality. This shows the power of youth leadership and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, by combining academic insight with community-driven engagement, the Youth Climate Ambassadors initiative inspires a new generation ready to lead meaningful change and help create a climate-resilient and environmentally aware world”. Additionally, the Youth Climate Ambassadors initiative connects academic insight with grassroots engagement. It encourages youth to tackle climate challenges through informed, inclusive, and action-oriented approaches. The Center for Sustainability proudly provided their assistance for this milestone in empowering youth climate leaders under the YLCA framework. It reaffirms CFS’s commitment to nurturing education, innovation, and community partnerships for environmental sustainability.

The Center for Sustainability (CFS), Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is seeking to establish a new collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). As part of this initiative, Mr. Sumith Siriwardana, Assistant General Manager, Group ESG, Courtaulds Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd, has joined CFS as a Collaborating Industry Expert. This collaboration has the support of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), which focuses on vocational training and capacity development. Through this partnership, CFS aims to improve its capacity building efforts by introducing training programs that match current and future market needs in the sustainability field. These will cover areas such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), waste management, and the circular economy. The programs will combine academic knowledge with practical industry experience, following the German Dual Vocational Education and Training (VET) model that AHK Sri Lanka promotes. A meeting recently took place at the Center for Sustainability with Mr. Sumith Siriwardana, Assistant General Manager, Group ESG of Courtaulds Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd and Ms. Tharangani Kulathunga, Vocational Training Manager of AHK Sri Lanka. During this meeting, collaborative plans and future training opportunities were discussed. In addition, CFS highlighted its ongoing initiatives and strengths in sustainability education and research. With these efforts, CFS shows its dedication to offering training and certification programs that help Sri Lanka build expertise in sustainable business and green innovation.

On June 8, 2025, in celebration of World Environment Day, the Center for Sustainability (CFS) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura led a major reforestation initiative at the Yagirala Forest Reserve—a flagship event underscoring the center’s continued commitment to environmental restoration and youth-led sustainability. Over 5 acres of degraded forest land were covered with 1,500 native trees as part of the reforestation effort. The event’s primary sponsor, Commercial Bank PLC, showed their strong commitment to environmental conservation and corporate social responsibility by providing 3,500 native saplings in total. Additionally, Smart Packaging Solutions stepped forward as a co-sponsor, which helped the initiative succeed. The Yagirala Forest Reserve, a crucial hotspot for biodiversity in Sri Lanka, was the perfect location for this project, which aims to improve carbon sequestration, restore ecological balance, and save endangered plants and animals. The following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN are closely related to this reforestation effort:SDG 13: Climate Action, by mitigating the effects of climate change through carbon capture.SDG 15: Life on Land, by restoring degraded ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through sustainable practices promoted by the sponsors.SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, reflecting the successful collaboration between academia, private sector, and environmental agencies.SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation, by improving watershed health, enhancing water quality, and reducing erosion and flood risksSDG 14: Life below water, by minimizing sediment and nutrient runoff into rivers and oceans, thereby protecting aquatic ecosystems and marine biodiversity This initiative demonstrates the power of youth engagement and public–private partnerships in addressing global environmental challenges through collaborative, community-driven restoration effortsThe program not only marked a significant contribution to reforestation in Sri Lanka but also served as a hands-on educational experience for the students, inspiring them to become lifelong stewards of the environment.As the remaining saplings await planting in future efforts, this program has laid the groundwork for sustained environmental regeneration and community involvement in conservation across the region. Guided tree planting session by curator Mr Kosala Gunawardena Tree plantation done by the participants Group photo of the participants

The Center for Sustainability (CFS) is set to launch a short course on Integrated Solid Waste Management and Sustainable Practices. This program is strategically developed to cater to a broad spectrum of stakeholders involved in sustainability and waste management, including: §  University students – Aspiring professionals and researchers seeking specialized knowledge and practical skills in sustainable waste management. §  Government authority personnel – Policy-makers and operational practitioners engaged in the development and implementation of waste management strategies. §  Representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community leaders – Key actors in grassroots-level environmental and sustainability initiatives. §  Local government officials – Individuals responsible for municipal waste management and sustainability planning. This short course will serve as a core revenue-generating initiative for CFS, with a participation fee applicable to all attendees. The program reflects CFS’s commitment to advancing sustainability education and fostering practical solutions for environmental challenges.