The "Wildlife and Nature Photography Students’ Society", of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya has initiated an online lecture series focusing on wildlife conservation, the welfare of wild animals and how to enjoy the beauty of nature, with the objective of increasing public awareness on the value of wildlife.
Sri Lanka is a country with high biodiversity. Unfortunately, the activities due to lack of public awareness has become a major threat to our precious wildlife heritage. The scope of our online lecture series is to increase public awareness of wildlife conservation and protect the wildlife heritage to future generations.
This lecture will be on “Wildlife trade and Its effect on biodiversity conservation” by renowned environmentalist, scientist, researcher, wildlife photographer, writer and a social worker Mr.Samantha Gunasekara.
Mr.Samantha Gunasekara is a former Deputy Director of Customs. His last position was the Director, (Biodiversity)CITES CoP 18, Sri Lankan Secretariat.
He is a science Graduate of the University of Sri Lanka and has a Master’s Degree in Wildlife trade with PhD reading process both from the prestigious International University of Andalucia, Spain. He is qualified as a Gemmologist fromGreat Britain, Germany and Sri Lanka.
He has Customs experience in wildlife detections, investigation and prosecution over 3 decades. Created the world’s 1st Customs Biodiversity Protection Unit & Biodiversity Protection Task Force. Later this unit expanded as into Biodiversity, Cultural & National Heritage Protection Division of SL.Customs, which responsible for several hundred detections in protecting our natural and cultural heritage.
The concept and creation of the Sri Lanka Customs Museum is another national-level achievement The unique museum theme is "Evolvement of Sri Lanka Customs" which depictsthe customs history from BCE 800 up to the modern high-techera of S .L Customs.
His service in the protection of the environment of Sri Lanka has been recognized by over fifty (50) national environmental awards including the 1st Presidential Environmental Award. Latest recognition is the “Public Servant” Award of the Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the year 2018.
He is the author of the monograph on “Export Trade of Indigenous Freshwater Fishes of Sri Lanka” ”Jaiva mankollayata erehiwa”, “and Nearly lost”. and several scientific and general publications on wild orchids and Freshwater fish species, gene piracy, wildlife trade etc.
A resource person to Customs Human resource division and many Ministries, Govt. departments, NGOs, International organizations, visiting lectures of many Universities, etc. on the subject of Biodiversity, Fauna & Flora, Archaeology, cultural heritage etc.
Still actively involved in wildlife conservation, research work, training the officers, university lectures, writing etc. in protecting our environment while risking life. Even busier after retirement.
The lecture will be held on Thursday 01st December 2022 at 6.00 p.m. via Zoom.
Join with us further to achieve our goal by enhancing the knowledge on wildlife conservation and protecting nature.
