Sri Lanka - Overview

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

In terms of species, genes and ecosystems, Sri Lanka has a very high biodiversity and is one of the 18 hot spots in the world. The wet zone rainforests have nearly all of the country’s woody endemic plants and about 75 per cent of the endemic animals. The genetic diversity of agricultural crops is quite remarkable, with 3,000 accessions of rice being recorded... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Sri Lanka has established 501 protected areas, accounting for 26.5% of the total area of the country. Sri Lanka has also 2 Ramsar sites and 2 Biosphere Reserves.

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forests in Sri Lanka cover 1,933,000 ha.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The Sri Lanka Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan was adopted in 1998. The Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan has identified four broad areas of ecosystem diversity, namely forests, wetlands, coastal and marine systems, and agricultural systems. Under each ecosystem, main issues have been identified followed by objectives... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Management Plans have been prepared for all most all leading National Parks. Threats to National Park System have been assessed and Management Plans/strategies have been identified to minimize the harmful effects. Some National Parks have the objective in protecting the watersheds of the major water bodies in Sri Lanka and some protect a range of unique natural ecosystems such as Mountain Forests, Wetlands, Coral Reefs and Mangrove Forests of the country... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The country has given a very high priority to this article since Sri Lanka has very rich traditional knowledge base. Centre for Traditional Knowledge and many NGOs are working on identification and documentation of traditional knowledge in Sri Lanka. Several publications on traditional knowledge are either published or under preparation... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Hon. Mr. A.D. Susil Premajayantha	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. B.M.U.D. Basnayake	CBD Primary NFP, CHM NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP, GSPC NFP
Ms. R.H.M.P. Abeykoon	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Gamini Gamage	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. B.M.U.D. Basnayake

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP