SRI JAYAWARDENAPURA FORESTRY EDUCATION FACULTY CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVESARY

Features

2008 December 29th marked the 25th Anniversary of Sri Jayawardenapura University, The celebration was hosted at the Tangerine Hotel Kalutara, Sri Lanka, Member of the Faculty Dr. Hiran Amarasekara addressed about the progress of the faculty during the last 25 years.

Thereafter Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe spoke about the importance of forestry education and the environmental issues concerning in Sri Lanka. She stated that the faculty was started as a result of a discussion held in 1960 regarding forestry education. 

According to Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe the Forestry Education Faculty was able to offer scholarships from University of Wales since 1998 for university students. Foreign lecturers have also assisted this faculty for the past years. The faculty was able to get funds through World Bank recently.

Meanwhile the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Jayawardenapura  Dr.N L Karunarathne said that Sri Lanka should think about sustainable development, Professor Hemanthi Ranasinghe and Professor H G Nandadasa were honored for their services for the faculty during the session.

This event saw the participation of many environmentalists and journalists in Sri Lanka. Many environmental issues were discussed during the session. Sea erosion and it’s

impact on coral reefs, sustainable development in the country are some of the issues which were discussed broadly.

The session was inaugurated by new research and findings by the students in the faculty. New methods on how to face natural disasters, water consumption and management were discussed. Meanwhile Professor Sarath Kotagama stated that only 10% of species have been discovered in the world so far. He stressed out that a solution for human elephant conflict should be brought from the government. 

 Meanwhile Mr.Sarath Alwis an engineer stated sustainable development could implement using engineering technology. Further he said that bio gas production, solid waste management, nano technology are some examples of presence of engineering technology.