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The 30^th International Forestry and Environment Symposium commenced on January 23^rd and 24^th, 2026, at the  Waters Edge Battaramulla. The symposium’s theme is “ Sustainability in Action” which aims to discuss critical issues within these realms. Joining the distinguished assembly were Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Senior Professor Upul Subasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, who contributed to the occasion. Dr.  Sandali Dissanayake from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences coordinated the symposium, which Prof.  Hiran Amarasekera chaired.

Prof. Piotr T. Nowakowski a distinguished speaker from the University of Rzeszów, Poland, delivered the keynote address at the symposium. He highlighted that environmental challenges demand not only ecological and technological solutions, but also an understanding of governance, human behavior, and social values.

The January 23^rd and 24^th, 2024 symposium featured 178 research papers presented across fourteen distinct sessions as Cooperative Environmental Stewardship and Circular Economy, Sustainable Forest Management, Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem Integrity, Sustainable Tourism, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Biomaterials and Carbon Storing, Biodiversity Credit Systems, Forest Culture and Science, Climate Change and Resilience, Geology, Soil and Water Resource Management, Integrated Land Use Planning and Smart City Design, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Economics, Citizen Science for Young Environmental Scientist. These sessions occurred concurrently in four parallel tracks at the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science premises.

Securing financial backing is crucial for organizing this event.  Platinum Sponsors are Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC and Control Union Inspections (Pvt) Ltd. Gold Sponsors were Dilmah Conservation and Sisili Hanaro Encare (Pvt) Ltd. Banking Partner was Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and Collaborative Partners were Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Marga Institute. Elite Sponsors were DAMRO Group, CBL Group, Lalan Group and South Asia Gateway Terminals. Other Sponsors were State Timber Corporation, A Wood Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, GIS Solutions Private Limited and SPAR Sri Lanka.

As per Professor Hiran Amarasekara, one of the founding members, the inception of the International Forestry and Environmental Science Symposium in 1995 aimed to establish a platform for young researchers to showcase their findings. Over the years, the symposium has evolved into the region’s premier and longest-standing event, gaining renown for its significance.

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The Citizen Science Workshop 2025, held on 22nd October, brought together students, educators, and environmental enthusiasts to explore research on human–wildlife conflict, plastic pollution, rainforest biodiversity, and carbon footprint reduction. A collaborative effort toward a sustainable future, uniting passionate individuals to find real-world solutions for environmental challenges. Special appreciation to the DFES staff and YBA Citizen Scientists for inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

The 29th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, held on 17th and 18th January 2025 in the University Premises, was held under the theme “A Multi-Sectoral Approach to a Sustainable Future,” emphasizing collaborative efforts across diverse sectors to address global challenges and achieve long-term sustainability goals. The symposium sessions delve into various aspects of this theme, presenting research findings across 12 key areas. These include Forest and Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Waste Management and Pollution Control, Environmental Economics and Resource Management, Climate Change and Disaster Management, Biomass and Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Land Use and Urban Development, Wood Science and Wood Based Industries, Environmental Engineering and Green Technology, Geology, Soil and Water Resource Management, and a Citizen Science Forum. The conference was graced by Prof. Naohiro Goto of the Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation and Design, Toyo University, Japan as the Keynote Speaker. The Symposium was a beneficial platform for 205 abstracts of scientific studies contributed by researchers from both local and international researchers.

The Center for Sustainability (CFS) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) is delighted to welcome Nila Mahawela, an undergraduate student from Germany, as part of its growing global outreach. Nila, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Forest Ecosystem Management (B.Sc.) at the University for Sustainable Development in Eberswalde, Germany, will be completing a six-month internship with the CFS, marking a significant milestone as the first foreign undergraduate student to join USJ for an internship experience.

Nila’s academic program focuses on sustainable forest ecosystem management, and her decision to intern at CFS reflects her passion for hands-on conservation work. With a strong curiosity about Sri Lanka’s rich rainforest biodiversity and a desire to engage with the practical and legal aspects of conservation management, Nila aims to expand her knowledge and contribute to environmental sustainability efforts.

The CFS is excited to support Nila’s academic and professional development during her time with us, and we look forward to the valuable contributions she will make to our ongoing conservation projects.