HNB Assurance PLC is pleased to extend its partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), in supporting the Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO Sri Lanka) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) by committing to an additional 15 hectares of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) removal within the Lunugamvehera National Park over the next three years.
This programme, focuses on the removal of Lantana Camara (S. Gandapana) and Eupatorium odoratum (S. Podi Singho Maran), which have been rapidly spreading and disrupting the native ecosystem across 900 hectares, creating a sustainable livelihood and a sense of ownership for the community around this national park. Further, this initiative is expected to mitigate the human-elephant conflict by restoring vital grazing areas for elephants, which rely on Lunugamvehera as a critical migratory route between Yala and Udawalawa forest reserves.
Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating “our partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka has shown remarkable results in the past through this project and we are committed to deepening our engagement to amplify the impact we can further create. As a company, ‘protection’ is in the core of everything we do, thus, this project serves as an extension to this commitment – fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, enabling the surrounding communities to live and let live.”
Mrs Shiranee Yasaratne, Senior Advisor at Biodiversity Sri Lanka, sharing her thoughts on the extended partnership, opined, “The commitment of HNB Assurance to this cause is truly commendable. Their continued support allows FEO Sri Lanka to make significant strides in combating invasive alien species and restoring the natural balance within Lunugamvehera National Park. This project not only benefits the environment but also enriches the lives of local communities through employment and education and BSL is a proud facilitator of this support”
The initial year of the project, will see the most labour-intensive phase with the primary removal of IAPS. The following two years will involve maintenance cycles to eliminate new seeds and plants.
Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager, added, “When we first signed up for this project in 2023, we quickly realized the profound impact it could have on both the environment and the local communities. Seeing the positive changes first-hand reinforced our commitment to this cause. We are excited to extend our partnership and continue contributing to the restoration of native flora and the overall health of our ecosystem. We believe that by working closely with BSL and other partners, we can certainly achieve this and create a sustainable future.”
“We are always very grateful for the support we receive from our sponsors and partners in conserving this beautiful country. Our special thanks to HNB Assurance and Bio Diversity Sri Lanka in coming forward once again to support this important initiative”, said Mr Keith Wijesuriya, Chair of FEO Sri Lanka.
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MOU Signing between HNB Assurance and Biodiversity Sri Lanka
