https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250504/news/offering-of-enadangered-ran-dothalu-by-president-stirs-debate-597024.html Published in SundayTimes on 04.052025

A recent religious offering by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has drawn sharp criticism from conservationists and botanists, reigniting concerns over the use of endangered plants in religious rituals.

The controversy centres around the Ran Dothalu (Loxococcus rupicola), an endangered palm species, which was offered by the President during the Aluth Sahal Mangallaya— the traditional rice harvest ceremony — held on April 4 at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

The Ran Dothalu flower

While the offering of Ran Dothalu would not have been the President’s idea as it was seen being handed to him by organisers, experts say it sets a dangerous precedent. “This endemic flower is endangered. When national leaders use it in public ceremonies, it inadvertently encourages illegal harvesting,” says Bhathiya Gopallawa, a botanist and conservationist.

This is not the first time Ran Dothalu has stirred controversy. A similar incident occurred in 2021 when then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa offered it at a religious ceremony in Anuradhapura.

Although revered in Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition, especially through folklore linking it to divine offerings, Ran Dothalu had not been widely used in rituals until recent years. Today, however, it is increasingly seen at prominent pilgrimage sites like Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and the Ruwanweli Seya, despite its strict legal protection under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO), which prohibits the harvesting or possession of any part of this plant.

Traditionally, offerings of Ran Dothalu were largely confined to regions like Ratnapura, where the plant naturally grows. However, as its cultural popularity has surged over promotions in social media, the demand has risen, leading to unsustainable harvesting practices.

“Being a slender palm, the entire plant is often cut down just to collect its flowers. I’ve witnessed areas where dozens of these palms have been felled,”
said Mr Gopallawa.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also offered it at a religious ceremony in Anuradhapura in 2021

Ran Dothalu is not just any plant — it is endemic to Sri Lanka, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Moreover, it belongs to a monotypic genus, meaning it is the only species within the genus Loxococcus. “If we lose this species, we lose the entire genus,” emphasised Prof. Siril Wijesundara, former director general of the Department of Botanical Gardens and currently a research professor at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS).

Prof. Wijesundara also explained the scientific origin of the plant’s name ‘Rupicola’ comes from Latin — rupes meaning rock or cliff, and colere meaning to dwell. So, it translates to ‘rock-dweller,’ which reflects its preference for rocky habitats in places like Ratnapura.”

According to Buddhist folklore, the deity Sumana Saman is said to have offered Ran Dothalu to the Buddha when inviting him to Samanala Kanda (Adam’s Peak). This legend has further fuelled
the plant’s ritualistic use, especially during pilgrimages to Sri Pada.

In response to this growing trend, the volunteer group Samanala Kanda Rasika Ekamuthuwa (SKRE) has stepped up efforts to inform people.

“We often receive photos on our Facebook page showing Ran Dothalu offerings at Adam’s Peak. That’s when we realised the scale of the problem,” said Achintha Sri Lakmal, one of SKRE’s administrators.

SKRE has launched several awareness campaigns, including placing informational boards at the base of Sri Pada urging pilgrims to avoid using the flower. Their advocacy goes beyond awareness.

“We’ve filed three legal cases so far where evidence was clear, and each time the offenders were fined,” said Dasni Piyasiri, a lawyer and SKRE member. “Ran Dothaluis protected under the FFPO — even harvesting from your own garden is illegal.”

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake offering during the Ran Dothalu at the sahal mangallaya on April 14

One such case involved a family who picked the flower from their private garden.

“The law doesn’t allow removal of any part of this species, regardless of where it grows,” Ms Piyasiri explained. She added that social media images often serve as critical evidence. “Contrary to popular belief, these images are admissible. We’ve successfully defended their authenticity in court, setting important legal precedents.”

Following the recent presidential offering, SKRE has formally written to President Dissanayake, urging him to uphold environmental laws and issue a public apology.

“The President often says that anyone can make a mistake — but what matters is how you correct it. We also need clarity on how a protected plant ended up in his hands,” said Ms Piyasiri.

Amid the controversy, some have raised the idea of cultivating Ran Dothalu for ceremonial use. Prof. Wijesundara welcomes innovative approaches but stresses the importance of proper oversight. “Any cultivation initiative must be organised and supervised to ensure it does not further endanger the species,” he said.

However, many environmentalists fear that the wild harvesting would continue and that religious leaders should help stop this practice.

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250511/news/from-shrew-to-elephant-a-handy-field-guide-to-our-land-mammals-597604.html published on SundayTimes on 25.05.2025

“Imagine how many people in the tourism industry would be out of work without Leopards, Asian Elephants, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Jackals, and other charismatic Mammalian species that make Sri Lanka’s wildlife experience so compelling,” says Asoka Yapa, author of the newly released “Land Mammals of Sri Lanka: A Field Companion.” “These animals bring in millions in foreign exchange—vital for our economy—yet few realise that all of them are mammals.”

Yapa, speaking to the Sunday Times, expressed concern over how little today’s politicians understand the vital economic role played by wildlife. “They prefer headline-grabbing, unscientific statements about so-called ‘pest’ species like Elephants, Porcupines, and Toque Macaques,” yet there is much wealth in diversity of mammals that Sri Lanka need to conserve, he said.  

Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair or fur and feed their young with milk. Sri Lanka is home to about 110 species of land mammals, from large charismatic megafauna to lesser-known but ecologically essential species.

Yapa points out that while high-profile mammals attract tourists and funding, other small creatures too play critical roles in maintaining ecosystems. Bats consume millions of insect pests and pollinate fruit trees, mongooses control venomous snakes, jackals manage rodent populations and clean up carrion, and squirrels help select and spread seeds.

His new field guide features all known land mammals of Sri Lanka, illustrated by the internationally acclaimed artist Gamini Ratnavira. It serves as a more portable alternative to the earlier 500-page volume Mammals of Sri Lanka, authored by Yapa and illustrated by Ratnavira which was published by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) in 2013. This was hailed as a comprehensive effort to update Sri Lanka’s mammalian diversity, following the first major work on the subject, Mammals of Ceylon by W.W.A. Phillips, published in 1935.

“I wanted to create a field-friendly guide that would help Sri Lankans appreciate our rich mammalian biodiversity and understand the ecological roles of different species,” said Yapa. He also highlights the neglect of smaller mammals, particularly bats, shrews, and rodents—some of which haven’t been recorded in decades. “They’re tiny, nocturnal, and hard to study. But they’re just as vital to the web of life as the iconic species,” he added.

Experts agree that habitat loss is the biggest threat to Sri Lanka’s mammals. While poaching occurs, it hasn’t reached the industrial scale seen in Africa or parts of Southeast Asia.

Yapa hopes the new guide will spark interest in mammal research, especially among youth. All proceeds from the book will go to the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle to support conservation work.

“There are fascinating mammals even in your own home garden—from the Three-striped Squirrel to mongooses, the Palm Civet (Toddy Cat), and various bats,” Yapa says.

A copy of Land Mammals of Sri Lanka: A Field Companion, can be ordered by calling 0741151115 (Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle).

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250601/news/the-disappearing-bandula-barbs-hilly-home-range-protected-599983.html published on SundayTimes on 25.06.2025

To mark World Environment Day on June 5, the Sri Lankan government has declared an Environment Week starting from May 30. The highlight of this initiative, according to Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabandi, is the declaration of five environmentally sensitive areas as protected zones. Among the areas to receive new protections are the Kottawa Forest in the Galle District, the Nilgala Forest in Monaragala, and two forests in the Kegalle District. Notably, a small but ecologically vital stretch of stream in Galapitamada, Kegalle, will also be designated a sanctuary to protect one of Sri Lanka’s rarest freshwater fish — the Bandula Barb (Pethia bandula).

Endemic to Sri Lanka, the Bandula Barb is found nowhere else on Earth. This small, reddish-gold fish is distinguished by two black vertical bars — one behind its gill cover and the other near its tail. It was first identified in 1990 during a study by renowned ichthyologist Rohan Pethiyagoda. The species was originally thought to be a hybrid, but later research by Pethiyagoda and Swiss fish taxonomist Maurice Kottelat confirmed it as a distinct species. The fish was named Pethia bandula in honor of Ranjith Bandula, the ornamental fish collector who first brought it to scientific attention.

The Bandula Barb is restricted to a roughly 3-kilometer-long stream segment that originates from a hillock north of Rabbedigala village and flows through Rabbedigala, Hapugoda, and Minipura before draining into the Gurugoda Oya — a tributary of the Kelani River. Even at the time of its discovery, the species was in steep decline. In the 1980s, researchers could catch up to 100 individuals per hour in this stream. By 1990, that figure had plummeted to just 14, suggesting a 90% drop in population within a decade.

This alarming decline triggered immediate concern among conservationists. Subsequent research by Hasula Wickremasinghe of the Biodiversity Secretariat further documented the species’ precarious status. A formal recovery plan was developed under the guidance of Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, involving the Biodiversity Secretariat, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Legal protection under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance soon followed, making the Bandula Barb the first freshwater fish in Sri Lanka to be granted such status.

Multiple attempts have been made to establish new populations outside the original stream. In 2001, 250 pairs of Bandula Barbs were introduced into two streams within the Kelani River basin in Salgala, not far from their native range. However, this effort was unsuccessful, likely due to unsuitable ecological conditions or the presence of competing fish species. A more cautious translocation effort later released 20 individuals into a carefully selected stream within the same region. Concerns about hybridisation with similar species were carefully addressed during this process. Encouragingly, this second introduction succeeded, with the population increasing to several hundred individuals over time.

Despite the success of the secondary population, scientists emphasise the importance of preserving the species’ original habitat. “Protecting the native stream is crucial,” says Ramani Shirantha, a senior scientific officer at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). On a recent visit, Dr. Shirantha observed ongoing road construction near the stream, causing significant habitat disruption. “The clearing of streamside vegetation for agriculture and infrastructure leads to erosion, sedimentation, and a change in the natural flow — all of which threaten the Bandula Barb’s breeding and feeding grounds,” she noted.

Pollution adds to the mounting pressure. Runoff from surrounding agricultural lands carries pesticides and fertilisers into the stream, altering water chemistry and potentially proving lethal to the fragile fish population. Scientists fear that any severe contamination could wipe out the remaining wild population entirely.

Given these ongoing threats, the government’s decision to declare the Bandula Barb’s habitat a sanctuary is being welcomed by conservationists. However, experts caution that legal protection alone is not enough. Effective management, regular monitoring, and community involvement are essential to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

The story of the Bandula Barb is a poignant reminder of how vulnerable freshwater ecosystems are — and how quickly unique species can vanish if action is not taken in time. As Sri Lanka marks Environment Week, the fate of this tiny fish may serve as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for freshwater conservation.

Published on ‘සතිඅග අරුණ’ on 25th of May 2025.

Published in SundayTimes on 22.05.2025 https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250622/news/every-urban-dweller-adds-28-kilos-to-sri-lankas-plastic-waste-pile-every-year-601993.html

Following World Environment Day on June 5, with its focus on “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” World Ocean’s Day recently highlighted the need to address plastic contamination, particularly its impact on marine environments.

At the official Ocean’s Day Ceremony in Port City, Emeritus Professor of Ecology, Prof. Sarath Kotagama, underscored the severity of the issue, citing alarming new research.

Prof. Sarath Kotagama addressing the ceremony

“Microplastics are now even in the human brain, so we urgently need to act quickly to reduce our plastic pollution,” said Prof. Kotagama.

He referenced a recent study by the University of New Mexico, US, which found that human brain samples collected at autopsy in early 2024 contained significantly more microplastic than those from eight years before. The study revealed concentrations of 4,800 micrograms per gram – or 0.48% by weight – in the brain tissue of normal individuals with an average age of 45-50. This amount is equivalent to an entire standard plastic spoon.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 millimetres in size, mainly formed when larger plastic waste breaks down due to sunlight, wind, ocean waves, or mechanical abrasion. These microplastics, and even smaller nanoplastics, can enter human bodies through ingestion or inhalation.

Prof. Kotagama shared a striking example from his own research: “Several years back, one of my students found microplastics in the feathers of egrets, birds that inhabit water-associated habitats. How can bird feathers get microplastics – the bird would not intentionally eat plastic or polythene, but would have come through food chain.’’ It illustrated how deeply ingrained plastic pollution has become in Sri Lanka’s ecosystems. Similarly, microplastics can get accumulated in our bodies too, he explained.

When the Ministry of Environment offered Prof. Kotagama a token of appreciation, he returned to the podium to refuse it, as the gift was made of plastic.

“We have to set ourselves the example and start taking actions by ourselves,” the seasoned environmentalist told the stunned crowd, emphasising the importance of personal responsibility in combating plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution has become deeply ingrained in Sri Lanka’s ecosystems

Sri Lanka faces a significant challenge with plastic waste, generating 249,037 metric tonnes a year. According to last year’s “National Plastic Waste Inventory for Sri Lanka,” about 171,561 tonnes (about 69%) of this plastic waste goes unmanaged. This includes uncollected waste that may be buried, burned, or escapes into the environment before or within the waste management system.

Dr. Anurudda Karunarathna of Peradeniya University, the report’s main author noted that these figures are particularly only on plastic waste – not organic wastes.

The “National Plastic Waste Inventory for Sri Lanka,” launched last year, is the second comprehensive study of its kind after Ghana to use a modern material flow analysis methodology, Dr.Karunarathna told the SundayTimes.

The total plastic waste generation in urban areas is significantly lower than in rural areas according to the study and this is a result that 82% of the population residing in rural areas. However, when considering per capita plastic waste generation, urban areas have the highest at 28.6 kg a year per person, compared with 9.1 kg/year/person in rural areas according to Dr.Karunarathna. An estimated 67,965 tonnes (27%) of plastic waste is not collected at all, often being burned, illegally dumped, or buried on site.

Plastic pollution is widespread in South Asia, recognised as one of the worst-affected regions globally. To address this collectively, the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) initiative was launched. Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) with support from UNOPS, PLEASE is the region’s largest effort to combat marine plastic pollution and promote sustainable plastic use. Its seventh round table meeting was recently held in Colombo, bringing together innovators and financial resources to tackle the issue.

The PLEASE project has significantly contributed to establishing waste management initiatives in Sri Lanka and its six participating South Asian countries.

According to SACEP Director General, Norbu Wanchuk, the project has enabled the recycling of over 626,000 kilograms of plastic waste into useful resources.

Collectively, South Asian waste management companies, civil society groups, and communities have prevented 10.2 million kilos of plastic waste from polluting rivers and seas over the past five years.