WNPS in fine balancing act with govt. to facilitate conservation action

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Sri Lanka's oldest environmental organisation, continues to walk a delicate line between cooperation and confrontation in its dealings with the government, say two of its former presidents, Jehan CanagaRetna and Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne.

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

Responding to concerns that the Society's rapport with the state appears “too slow” amid escalating environmental pressures, de Silva Wijeyeratne described the relationship as “complex, but essential.”

“We partner the government very closely, he said. “CanagaRetna particularly leads some of the work to support rangers with kits. WNPS also runs an insurance scheme for Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) staff, funded by donors and us—outside of what government provides. There’s a lot we do to strengthen government-led initiatives.”