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Wildlife officers, conservationists honoured for their commitment
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A wildlife officer receives an award from Minister Gamini Jayawickrema
The Ministry of Wildlife and Sustainable Development has recognised its officers and others for their outstanding efforts at conserving Sri Lanka’s Wildlife. The awards ceremony was held on March 3, under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, to mark ‘World Wildlife Day’.
The awards scheme was named in Sinhala as ‘Seva Prasadini’
recognising Wildlife officers who went the extra mile in conserving Sri Lanka’s Wildlife, under four categories, with officers of the Dept of Zoological Gardens and the Dept of Botanical Gardens that comes under the ministry too, given due consideration. Retired Wildlife officers who,
during their service, went above and beyond the call of duty, in
protecting the Wildlife, were also awarded.
The Wildlife Dept lost the second highest number of officers in operation, among government institutes, after the Armed forces. A number of its officers were also killed on duty in Wilpattu and Yala during the war. Their attempts at keeping the protected areas free of poachers, also took the lives of many officers. and were recognised at the ceremony.
Efforts at mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) were given priority in the selection process, as was evident in those who received the awards. The work of Civil Defense Forces in assisting Wildlife officers to mitigate the HEC, where elephant confrontation is high, was also recognised.
Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera said Government decided to grant ‘Samurdhi Benefits’ for families whose breadwinner was killed by elephants. Marking the occasion, the Minister presented the first Samurdhi certificate to a wife of a farmer killed by wild elephants. He said the Government is also working on increasing the compensation to next-of-kin of officers killed whilst on duty.
About 3,500 persons work in agencies under the Ministry of Wildlife and Sustainable Development, resulting in a daily revenue of Rs 20 million to government coffers. Deputy Minister Sumedha P. Jayasena said there is shortage of about 1,400 Wildlife officers, commending the Dept for carrying out their task with the limited resources.
Participants and invitees at the event
In addition to Wildlife officers, several experts in Wildlife Conservation too were honoured under “Vishishta Sewa Prasadini” (Distinguished Service Awards). Dedicated professionals in Conservation such as renowned elephant researcher Dr Prithiviraj Fernando, former Director General- Dept of Botanic Gardens, Dr Siril Wijesundara, veteran Environmental Lawyer, Jagath Gunawardane, Herpetologist Mendis Wickremasinghe who discovered a number of new species, were among those honoured.
For his contribution towards ‘Communicating Wildlife’, the Sunday Times Environment Correspondent Malaka Rodrigo was honoured under “Vishishta Seva Prasadini” (Distinguished Service Awards) Excellent Service award category.