Championing Geckos, Conservation, and Cross-Disciplinary Research in Sri Lanka

In the vibrant tapestry of Sri Lanka's biodiversity, where rainforests pulse with life and endemic creatures lurk under every leaf, Dr. Nimal D. Rathnayake has carved a unique niche — one that combines the precision of a scientist with the strategic insight of a marketer.

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

A leading voice in herpetology and a respected academic in the fields of tourism and management, Dr. Rathnayake is a multidisciplinary force, passionately working to conserve reptiles especially the often-overlooked geckos while also reimagining how humans interact with nature.

A Childhood Rooted in Discovery

Dr. Rathnayake's journey into the world of reptiles began in his youth. Growing up with an innate curiosity about the natural world, he joined the Youth Exploration Society of Sri Lanka (YES), a group dedicated to inspiring young people to explore and understand the environment. His early exposure to fieldwork through YES and later, the Amphibia and Reptile Research Organization of Sri Lanka (ARROS), laid the foundation for a lifelong engagement with herpetology.

ARROS, a grassroots organisation with a strong emphasis on field-based research and conservation, gave Dr. Rathnayake the platform to pursue his fascination with amphibians and reptiles more seriously. It was here that he honed his skills in species identification, ecological monitoring, and data collection skills that would become essential to his later academic pursuits.

The Silent Stars: Geckos of Sri Lanka

While Sri Lanka is renowned for its charismatic wildlife elephants, leopards, and blue whales Dr. Rathnayake has dedicated much of his scientific career to one of the island's most understated yet ecologically important creatures: geckos.

Sri Lanka is home to more than 50 species of geckos, many of them endemic and highly localised. These small, nocturnal reptiles play crucial roles in the ecosystem as insect predators and as prey for larger animals. Despite their importance, geckos are often ignored in mainstream conservation efforts.