On August 28th, 2024, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) and the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC entered into a significant partnership to launch a major restoration initiative in the Yagirala Forest Reserve. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at the Vice Chancellor’s office, with Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage, the Vice Chancellor of the University, and Mr. S. Prabagar, Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director of Commercial Bank, signing on behalf of their respective institutions.
The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officers from both parties. Representing the University were Prof. Upul Subasingha, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences; Prof. Daham Jayewardana, Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science; Dr. G.G.T. Chandrathilake, Director and Senior Lecturer at the Center for Sustainability (CFS); and Mr. Kosala Gunawardana, Curator from the CFS. On behalf of Commercial Bank, several senior officials, including Mr Hasrath Munasinghe (Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking & Marketing), Mr Chithaka Dharmasena (Assistant General Manager – Services), Mr Dushmantha Jayasuriya (Chief Manager – Retail Products Department), Mrs Kamalini Ellawala (Senior Manager – Sustainability, Mr Gayan Wijesingheand Mr Thiyagarajan Sanjeevan (Senior Assistant Manager – Retail Products Department) the Head of Sustainability, also participated in the event.
This landmark agreement brings together the expertise of the CFS and the resources of Commercial Bank to promote sustainable forest management and ecological restoration in one of Sri Lanka’s key biodiversity reserves.
The Yagirala Restoration Project focuses on the rehabilitation of degraded areas, the enhancement of biodiversity, and active community involvement to ensure sustainable land-use practices. The project’s management plan, which spans the next five years, is structured around three core objectives: biodiversity conservation, research and education, and public and community awareness. Additionally, the project aims to establish a framework for ongoing research and monitoring to inform adaptive management strategies, support educational activities for students, and advocate for raising community awareness about the ecological significance of the forest. This approach will be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration, ensuring the conservation of the forest while providing economic and educational benefits.
This partnership is poised to pave the way for innovative conservation practices that protect vital natural resources while fostering education and research. Both CFS and Commercial Bank are committed to monitoring the project’s progress and ensuring that the restoration efforts have a lasting positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities.
The signing of the MOU marks a significant advancement in Sri Lanka’s efforts to protect and restore its natural heritage. With the combined strengths of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Commercial Bank, the Yagirala Restoration Project promises to be a leading example of how academic and corporate partnerships can drive meaningful environmental change.
