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- To promote, conserve, preserve and safeguard the natural habitat, natural environment, natural resources and bio diversity of Sri Lanka and educate and make the people of Sri Lanka aware of the need for conservation and to highlight the country’s responsibility towards same.
- To promote, conserve, preserve and safeguard the natural habitat, natural environment, natural resources and bio diversity of Sri Lanka and educate and make the people of Sri Lanka aware of the need for conservation and to highlight the country’s responsibility towards same.
- To launch and operate projects and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development. To conduct and continue study courses, study tours, expeditions, seminars, lectures, promotional tours, responsible-tourism activities, academic activities, research, tests and study programs and any other related activities in Sri Lanka and overseas to achieve the primary objects of the Foundation.
- To invest in and implement wildlife tourism, eco-tourism and related projects with a view to encouraging people to learn about their natural habitat and their role towards conserving it.
- To plan and implement projects aimed at enhancing the socio-economic condition of low-income groups, particularly environment friendly self-employment projects in areas known for human-animal conflict and deforestation for agricultural purposes.
- Build, maintain and improve infrastructure to achieve the primary objects of the Foundation To establish and develop reciprocal relations with kindred organizations and work in collaboration or in association with such organizations.
- To set up and maintain a study and research center espousing and facilitating the primary objects of the Foundation.
The Nucleus
We have on board some of the most high profile scholars and professionals in the country with vast experience in the fields of wildlife & conservation, education, psychology, sustainable development, marketing and communications.
Chairman
Dr. Dinesh Watawana
From battle fields to boardrooms, Dr. Dinesh Watawana wields one of the most uncommon combinations of expertise and exploits. An award-winning former war and foreign correspondent, Dr. Watawana has been a ministerial and developmental Adviser while also strategizing several leading Sri Lankan and global brands. An ardent protagonist of sustainable development, Dr. Watawana holds a Grad Cert in International Business, an MBA in Business Psychology and a PhD in Psychological Engineering.
Director Operations
Dr. Oshadi Peiris
Leading the forays of GEF’s ambitious mandate is one of Sri Lanka’s leading women in education and development Dr. Kala Oshadhi Peiris. The first Sri Lankan woman to become an Eisenhower Fellow, Dr. Peiris is an Attorney-at-Law and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with a BSc in Bio Science. A university lecturer she has also been a Consultant for UN FAO, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Price Waterhouse Cooper and CARE International.
Strategist
Prof. KKDS Ranaweera
An authority on ethos of sustainable development, Prof. KKDS Ranaweera is a Senior Professor at University of Sri Jayawardenapura where he headed the Department of Food Science & Technology while also extending his purview to University of Vocational Technology as a Senior Professor. His multi-faceted acumen sees him serving as a Consultant to the Industrial Development Board, as well as, a resource professional for the Ministry of Education & Higher Education.
Strategist
Dr. UKGK Padmalal
From wildlife conservation to environmental science, Dr. Padmalal has blazed a trail spanning well over 3 decades. A former senior assistant director of Department of Wildlife he is a Bioscience Graduate from University of Colombo. Dr. Padmalal completed his MSc in Environmental Science before being awarded a Doctorate in Wildlife Biology by Tohoku University in Japan. He has also worked for international agencies including Asian Development Bank, World Bank, FAO, UNDP and IUCN.
