CIFOR-ICRAF showcases climate resilience solutions at Sri Lanka’s 30th International Forestry and Environment Symposium
23 February 2026, Colombo: CIFOR-ICRAF Sri Lanka Country Office participated as a Collaborative Partner at the 30th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2026, held on 23–24 January at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. The event, organised by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, brought together researchers, government agencies, and development partners under the theme “Sustainability in Action.”
CIFOR-ICRAF’s engagement highlighted the organisation’s ongoing work to strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable land management in some of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable landscapes.
The Knuckles landscape
Representing CIFOR-ICRAF Sri Lanka, Dr Prasad Senadheera, Country Director and Principal Investigator of the GCF Knuckles Project, took part in the two-day symposium, sharing insights on how agroforestry can support ecosystem restoration while improving livelihoods for rural communities.
CIFOR-ICRAF also joined the event alongside the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALLI) to showcase progress from the GCF Knuckles Project, which focuses on strengthening climate resilience for subsistence farmers and plantation communities living in and around the Knuckles Mountain Range catchment.
A dedicated exhibition booth hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF and the PMU provided participants with access to project knowledge products, findings, and information on current interventions being implemented across the project area. The booth offered visitors a closer look at how nature-based and community-driven approaches are being used to reduce climate risks and support sustainable land use.
Disaster risk reduction
A key moment of the symposium’s opening programme was a high-level partnership discussion on “The Importance of Ecosystem Services Towards Disaster Risk Reduction, with Special Reference to Cyclone Ditwah.”
Dr Senadheera served as a panelist, emphasising the role of agroforestry and healthy ecosystems in reducing the impacts of extreme weather events. Drawing on CIFOR-ICRAF’s work in the Knuckles landscape, he noted that strong ecosystem services can act as natural buffers—helping protect downstream communities, farmland, and infrastructure. He also highlighted the importance of further study into the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response strategies.
CIFOR-ICRAF Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to supporting evidence-based action and practical solutions that help communities adapt to climate change. Through its research and field partnerships, the organisation continues to contribute scientific knowledge and technical support to advance sustainability and resilience across Sri Lanka.
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