A total of 81 forests have already been declared protected forests under the government’s “Vanaspathi” national programme, while five additional forests are scheduled to receive protected status on World Environment Day on June 5, according to the Ministry of Environment.
With the latest additions, the number of forest reserves declared under the programme will increase to 86.
Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi revealed these details while addressing a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information today (01).
According to the Minister, all five forests scheduled to be gazetted as protected areas on June 5 are located in the Anuradhapura District and collectively cover approximately 2,169 hectares.
The forests identified for protection are:
- Ritigala Reserve
- Aliya Paduwewa Reserve
- Bulagala Reserve
- Konketiya Reserve
- Kallanchiya Reserve
Providing further details on the programme, Minister Patabendi said the “Vanaspathi” initiative was officially launched on July 15, 2025, from the Bajjangoda Forest Reserve in Gampaha.
“In its first year alone, nearly 50,000 hectares covering 29 forests were declared as reserves. Later, on International Day of Forests in 2026, another 50 forests covering 12,989 hectares across Ampara, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Matara districts were brought under protection,” he said.
The Minister noted that several environmentally sensitive forest ecosystems situated above 5,000 feet in Sri Lanka’s central highlands were among those recently protected.
He also recalled that two additional forests — Nugagahamula Yaya Forest in Matale District and Padigam Pallella Forest in Kegalle District — were declared protected areas during the “Ehi Passiko” Peace Walk held on April 24.
Minister Patabendi stated that the Department of Forest Conservation is working to expedite the legal and administrative processes required to complete the protection of the next five forest areas.
