The WILDLANKA International Scientific Conference, organized by the Department of Wildlife Conservation, officially commenced today (26th) at Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. The inauguration was held under the patronage of the Honorable Minister of Environment, Dr. Dammika Patabendi.
The conference brings together local and international researchers, policymakers, and conservationists to discuss emerging challenges and innovative solutions within the field of wildlife management. A key point of focus was the government's program to maintain a balance between ecosystem protection and sustainable development.
WILDLANKA 2026 will feature several technical sessions covering vital themes, including: Conserving Blue Carbon Ecosystems, Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for wildlife monitoring
The event also marked the launch of the Wild Lanka Research Journal. The inauguration was attended by distinguished guests, including the Hon. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K.R. Uduwavala, Director General of Wildlife Department Mr. Ranjan Marasinghe, and Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, alongside a large gathering of researchers, university students, and scholars.
The findings and insights generated at this symposium are expected to serve as a foundation for future national policies and conservation action plans.
