• Conservationists share the one change Sri Lanka cannot afford to delay

As the year draws to a close and Sri Lanka stands on the threshold of 2026, there is a familiar pause, a moment of reflection before moving forward once again. For those working on the frontlines of conservation, this pause carries particular weight. 

Each passing year brings renewed urgency, deeper losses, and an ever-stronger resolve, as the country’s ecosystems continue to face mounting pressure from climate change, rapid development, and prolonged human neglect.

In the lead-up to the New Year, The Sunday Morning Brunch reached out to conservationists across Sri Lanka with a simple but revealing question: if you could name just one conservation goal for 2026, what would it be? 

While conservation spans wildlife, forests, marine ecosystems, wetlands, and the communities that depend on them, those closest to the work understand that meaningful change often begins with focus. Faced daily with disappearing habitats and fragile ecosystems, they know which single shift, if achieved, could make the greatest difference.

Conservation is never driven by one action alone, but it is often anchored by one clear hope. Grounded in lived experience and scientific insight, these voices from the field share what they believe to be the most achievable and impactful conservation goals for the year ahead, and why they matter now more than ever.

The land

Speaking on the priorities ahead, University of Colombo (UOC) Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences Professor in Zoology Sampath S. Seneviratne stressed that while conservation could not be reduced to a single sweeping solution, certain actions were undeniably urgent.

“As a scientist and zoologist, I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all answer,” he said. “But one of the most pressing concerns as we move into 2026 is the continued loss of forest habitats, particularly tropical rainforests, lowland coastal wetlands, and mountain cloud forests. These ecosystems are among the most severely affected.”

He emphasised that forest protection extended far beyond biodiversity alone. “If we are talking about securing water quality, quality of life, and livelihoods, especially in relation to fishing and water use, these forest habitats must be protected,” he explained. “That, to me, is the most important conservation action.”

Importantly, Prof. Seneviratne pointed out that the mechanisms to address this already existed. “There is no need to introduce new laws,” he said. “What we need is proper enforcement of existing laws. Authorities such as the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) must be empowered and supported to carry out their mandates effectively.”

Looking beyond protection alone, he identified habitat connectivity as a critical next step. “There needs to be a strong drive from the State, with public and private entities working hand in hand, to link forest habitats through what we call conservation corridors,” he explained. 

“You don’t need vast tracts of land to do this. Even corridors a few hundred metres wide can make a significant difference. Waterways and stream banks can be protected and used to connect one habitat to another. This work has to begin at the Local Government level and then move upwards.”

Prof. Seneviratne stressed that connectivity was not theoretical but scientifically proven. “When forest patches are isolated, the risk of extinction increases dramatically,” he said. “But when you link habitats, even with a simple strip of land, that risk drops exponentially. Connectivity increases the chances of survival for entire ecosystems.”

Pointing to Sri Lanka’s own landscape, he added: “There is currently no effective habitat linkage between the Southern and Western Provinces. We are seeing animals and plants disappear at a constant rate – even where there is no direct exploitation. Isolation alone is enough to drive species loss. By connecting habitats, those risks are greatly reduced.”

For a country like Sri Lanka, he argued, this approach was both practical and cost-effective. “We don’t need enormous investments to increase forest cover,” he said. “Creating and strengthening corridors is an excellent management strategy, and some efforts are already underway. What’s needed now is commitment, coordination, and the political will to scale them up.”

The sea

Turning attention to the ocean, conservationist, economist, and The Pearl Protectors Founder Muditha Katuwawala highlighted how marine conservation continued to be sidelined in national conversations.

“As a marine conservationist, the most important thing for me is creating a connection,” he said. “Marine life is constantly overlooked, even though it is absolutely vital. We talk far more about terrestrial wildlife because we can see it. What happens in the ocean is largely invisible, and because of that, people don’t consciously realise how deeply connected they are to it.”

He explained that this invisibility weakened public engagement. “People depend on the ocean for food, livelihoods, and climate regulation, but because they can’t see what’s happening beneath the surface, marine conservation rarely becomes a priority.”

Situating this within Sri Lanka’s broader challenges, Katuwawala acknowledged the country’s current pressures. “We are still navigating an economic crisis, and there has been a strong focus on tourism and recovery,” he said. “Now, with flooding and widespread disruption, attention has returned to meeting basic needs. In moments like this, marine conservation is pushed to the sidelines once again.”

For him, the most urgent and achievable goal for 2026 remains clear. “The single most critical issue is enforcement – proper enforcement of existing laws,” he stated. “We already have laws, but they are ignored, inconsistently applied, or difficult to implement.”

He pointed to whale conservation as a stark example. “Whales are protected species, yet populations are declining rapidly,” he said. “A major reason is stress caused by unregulated tourism activities. Without enforcement, protection on paper means very little.”

Empowering enforcement agencies, he argued, was key. “Authorities such as the DWC and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard must be given the power and resources to act,” he said. “There are even economic benefits; if offenders are apprehended and penalised properly, enforcement becomes a deterrent.”

Beyond tourism, Katuwawala highlighted illegal marine practices that continue to devastate ecosystems. “Illegal fishing using dynamite, banned nets, unregulated tourism, and bottom trawling, particularly in the northwest and parts of the southern coastline, are ecological disasters,” he warned.

He also underscored the importance of consistency in enforcing plastic regulations. “We have bans on single-use plastics, straws, and bags,” he said. “But if the law isn’t consistently implemented and if people aren’t charged, they will continue using plastic and public trust will erode.”

Drawing a powerful contrast, he added: “When an elephant is killed by a train, we can see it. We know it’s illegal and unethical. But we can’t see what’s happening in the ocean. Because marine destruction is invisible, enforcement becomes even more critical, since otherwise marine life will disappear without notice.”

The fauna

Adding to these perspectives, UOC Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences Senior Professor Devaka K. Weerakoon highlighted the urgent need to protect Sri Lanka’s endemic species.

“When we speak about conservation priorities for 2026, the protection of endemic species stands out as one of the most critical challenges,” he said. “These species exist nowhere else in the world. Once they are lost, there is no recovery.”

He explained that current structural limitations undermined conservation efforts. “Nearly 75% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species are concentrated in the wet zone,” he noted. “Yet only about 14% of the wet zone is designated for conservation. That imbalance poses a serious threat to long-term survival.”

Habitat fragmentation, he added, compounded the problem. “Almost all protected areas are fragmented and intersected by human-use landscapes. Species cannot move freely, which restricts breeding and reduces genetic diversity.”

Echoing earlier themes, Prof. Weerakoon stressed the importance of connectivity. “Forest and wetland corridors allow species to move, adapt, and survive,” he said. “Without these links, even protected areas cannot function effectively.”

He noted that progress was already underway. “There is a project currently establishing ecological corridors connecting wet zone forests and wetlands,” he said. “If implemented effectively and supported at policy and planning levels, this could significantly strengthen conservation outcomes.”

For him, the path forward is clear. “Protecting endemic species is not just about preserving biodiversity,” he concluded. “It is about safeguarding the ecological identity of this country, and that requires space, connectivity, and sustained commitment.”

As Sri Lanka steps into 2026, the message from conservationists is strikingly aligned. Whether on land or at sea, the priorities are clear: protect what remains, reconnect what has been fragmented, and enforce the laws that already exist. 

From safeguarding endemic species and forest corridors to strengthening marine protection and restoring trust in environmental governance, these are not abstract ideals, but achievable actions rooted in lived experience and scientific evidence. Conservation, as these voices remind us, is not a distant ambition. It is a daily responsibility, and one that cannot afford further delay.