Sri Lanka announced reserve status for five forests during its national World Environment Day ceremony on 5 June 2026, extending a wider programme of habitat protection.
The forests named were Ritigala, Aliyawetunuwewa, Mulagala, Konkatiyawa and Kallanchiya. The Department of Forest Conservation made the declarations in conjunction with the event at Temple Trees.
Other announcements covered sensitive coastal and wetland environments. Magama Sand Dunes received sensitive-area recognition, while Kuda Bubula Spring and Kapurella Hot Water Wetland were identified for protection.
The ceremony followed a week of climate-related activities involving public institutions, businesses and civil society. Enhanced National Green Reporting Guidelines were also introduced.
Officials reported that the broader conservation programme had brought 86 forests under protected status within a year. The announcements placed forest reserves alongside coastal and water habitats, reflecting the range of ecosystems involved in Sri Lanka’s environmental protection work.
