Wildlife conservation in crisis: Researcher warns of systemic collapse and calls for remedial action

Sri Lanka's wildlife conservation is teetering on the brink of collapse due to systemic neglect, mismanagement, and a crippling shortage of trained personnel, warns veteran conservation researcher Sameera Weerathunga.

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

Speaking on the state of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), Weerathunga said the institution once a respected guardian of Sri Lanka's unique biodiversity is now being stripped of its core identity and responsibilities through arbitrary restructuring and short-sighted policy decisions.

"We are watching the dismantling of the country's premier conservation body in real time," he said.

"These aren't reforms. This is erosion."

Weerathunga pointed to the recent rebranding of frontline conservation staff under different service categories such as Civil Security, Integrated Services, and Multipurpose Services. Now relabeled as part of the Grama Arakshaka Sevaya, the original identity and professional dignity of trained conservation officers are being erased.

"Soon, even identifying who is actually a conservation officer will become impossible," Weerathunga said.

"We're sacrificing professionalism for administrative convenience."