WNPS Monthly Lecture

The Future of Nature in Sri Lanka

By Dr. Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi

15th June, 6 pm at Jasmine Hall, BMICH




Dr. Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi is well known to conservationists, old and young, not to mention his academic peers, for the volume of work that he has undertaken over the past 40 years. His numerous publications – research papers and books – are invaluable reading for those who wish to learn of modern discoveries in the Zoology of Sri Lanka. He is credited with discovering, and scientifically describing, over 70 species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals of Sri Lanka; including over half of the hitherto known 100+ species of amphibians. That is why this lecture will be delivered primarily in Sinhala, for all to hear and understand, old and young.
WNPS Monthly Lecture
Dr. Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi

In Dr. Manamendra-Arachchi’s view, taxonomy is important for wildlife conversations, and research is necessary to ensure the survival of species. However, as a realist, he understands the importance that the biodiversity of Sri Lanka has in boosting its National income.

In this WNPS lecture, Dr. Manamendra-Arachchi will discuss his 40 years of experience in wildlife research. He will focus the audience’s attention on the ideas he has expressed, and predictions he has made in this field, since the 1980s.

The monthly lecture of the WNPS is supported by the Nations Trust Bank. It is open to both members and non-members, and ENTRANCE FREE.

Past Lectures

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    Wildlife: Is it truly wild?
    By Prof Tharanga Thoradeniya

    May 2023

  • Saving Yala

    Saving Yala from total destruction
    By Dr Sumith Pilapitiya

    Mar 2023

  • Conservation Education: Thinking outside the box

    Conservation Education: Thinking outside the box
    By Dr Jody Miller

    Feb 2023

  • Living in the only wetland capital in the world

    Living in the only wetland capital in the world
    By Dr Chethika Gunasiri

    Jan 2023

  • Saving Sinharaja

    Saving Sinharaja
    By Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke, Dr. Jinie Dela & Anura Sathurusinghe

    Dec 2022

  • Living with the worlds largest elephant population

    Living with the worlds largest elephant population
    By Dr. Tempe Adams

    Nov 2022

  • Conservation in Sri Lanka

    From Manike to Mary to the Hanuman Plover - to keep the magic of Mannar alive
    By Prof. Sampath Seneviratne

    Oct 2022

  • Conservation in Sri Lanka

    WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN SRI LANKA: Are we headed in the right direction?
    By Ranjan Marasinghe

    Sept 2022

  • Conservation of the Sri Lankan Leopard

    Conservation of the Sri Lankan Leopard
    By Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage, Rukshan Jayewardene, and Kithsiri Gunawardena

    Aug 2022

  • Forest Conservation

    Recovering from the crisis without further harm to the environment
    By Dr Devaka Weerakoon and Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda

    Jul 2022

  • https://youtu.be/e8uQBySUz2g

    Living Fossils
    by Dr. Anslem de Silva 

    Mar 2022

  • https://youtu.be/_CaqqXH4ag0

    ACTION TO PROTECT WETLANDS: For People and Nature
    by Prof Siril Wijesundara, Prof Sevvandi Jayakody, Prof Sampath Seneviratne 

    Feb 2022

  •  https://youtu.be/RdiVHWyodsM

    Shipwrecks in Sri Lanka
    by Arjan Rajasuriya, Chathurika Munasinghe, Dharshana Jayawardene & Rasika Mutukumarana

    Jan 2022

  • https://youtu.be/kCaYFTnc0EE

    When Marine Mammals Come Ashore
    by Anouk Ilangakoon

    Dec 2021

  • https://youtu.be/FtQ0vkVsyqs

    Responsible Wildlife Photography: A Powerful Tool of Conservation
    by Buddhilini de Silva

    Nov 2021

  • https://youtu.be/pB-DZgLunjo

    Monkey Kingdom in Peril
    by Prof Wolfgang Dittus

    Oct 2021

  • https://youtu.be/dRz6QPmOgZY

    Asian elephant conservation: The long road ahead
    by Nilanga Jayasinghe

    Sept 2021

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXuv4Nyg0gQ

    Protection, conservation & future challenges
    by Prof Sarath Kotagama

    Aug 2021

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXuv4Nyg0gQ

    Managing Human-Wildlife Conflict Involving Iconic Species
    by Dr Desley Whisson

    Jul 2021

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXuv4Nyg0gQ

    Empowering young people to make the world a better place
    by Dr Jane Goodall

    June 2021

  • Conserving Horton Plains: What the Science Tells Us

    Conserving Horton Plains: What the Science Tells Us
    by Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda

    May 2021

  • From Woodies to Plovers: an untold story of our national identity

    Oceans in Peril: Plastic pollution and unsustainable fishing practices
    by Laura Hardman and Sophika Kostyniuk

    March 2021

  • From Woodies to Plovers: an untold story of our national identity

    From Woodies to Plovers: an untold story of our national identity
    by Dr Sampath Seneviratne

    February 2021

  • Leopard-Human Coexistence

    Leopard Human Coexistence
    by Shatrunjay Pratap Singh

    January 2021

  • Ship Strikes on Large Whales

    Ship Strikes On Large Whales
    by Susannah Calderan

    December 2020

  • Leopards of Wilpattu

    Leopards of Wilpattu National Park 
    by Dinal Samarasinghe

    November 2020

  • Tribal Tigers

    Covid 19; An Unexpected Windfall for Sri Lanka’s Wilderness and Wildlife
    by Rukshan Jayawardene

    October 2020

  • Tribal Tigers

    Guardians of Sri Lanka's Wildlife
    by Mr. Ranjan Marasinghe

    September 2020

  • Tribal Tigers

    Conservation Photography: Taking Pictures to Save the Planet
    by Ami Vitale

    August 2020

  • Mangroves and their future

    Do or do not, there is no try:
    Mangroves and their future
    by Dr. Sevvandi Jayakody

    July 2020

  • Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation

    Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation
    by Sir Robert Watson

    June 2020

  • Unwinding the secrets of the elusive Indian Pangolin

    Unwinding the secrets of the elusive Indian Pangolin
    By Dr.Priyan Perera

    May 2020
  • Tribal Tigers

    Prioritizing marine conservation: Facts vs fuzz
    by Mr. Nishan Perera

    Feb 2020

  • Tribal Tigers

    Tribal Tigers
    by Dr.Sahil Nijhawan

    January 2020

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Are we really engaging in Biodiversity Conservation?
    by Dr.Sriyanie Miththapala

    September 2019
  • Climate Change

    Climate Change and Our Responsibility
    by Dr.Erandathie Lokupitiya

    June 2019
  • Tribal Tigers

    Where is Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka Today

    May 2019