Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Friday, 9 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture on 15th June at 6.00 p.m. at the Cinema Hall, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, will focus on the ‘Wilpattu: Place of Legend, History and Wildlife’ with Kithsiri Gunawardena as the presenter.
WNPS said the ancient chronicle, the Mahavamsa, records that in 543 BC, a band of renegade North Indian nobility, led by Prince Vijaya, landed in Tambapanni on the North West Coast of Sri Lanka close to Kudiramalai Point, a place that still, exists within the protection of the Wilpattu National Park.
Since this early establishment of the Sinhala peoples, this region has played prominent part in the development of this island nation. Dotted within the boundaries of the Park, and along its borders, are ancient ruins of religious and administrative constructions dating back to these ancient times, and even before. For Wilpattu holds evidence of a rich civilisation that existed in this country even prior to the arrival of Vijaya!
Later, as the kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa fell to the ravages of invasion, and later, of malaria, this area was preserved in the embrace of the jungles. This laid foundation to what became the first National Park to be established in the modern history of Sri Lanka, in 1938. For Wilpattu, with its unique feature of natural lakes, is home to a rich variety fauna and flora, some unique to this Park alone. Famous for its sightings of leopard and bear, its forest paths of ageless trees, dune lined villus and sun-dappled glades, make it one of the most enchanting of Sri Lanka’s National Parks.
Sadly, like all of the others, Wilpattu, too, is under threat from unplanned development and illegal encroachment that threatens its existence and the prosperity it brings to this country, both environmental and financial.
Commenting on the presenter, WNPS said there is perhaps none, since the end of the war, who has learned more about Wilpattu than Kithsiri Gunawardena. Despite his busy schedules as a practicing corporate lawyer, he finds the time to visit the Park as often as possible and has set up an invaluable database to record the leopards of the Park.
A renowned ornithologist in his own right, his love of Wilpattu extends beyond the more popular species to its lepidoptera, and to all other creatures great and small. With his extensive knowledge of the Park and its history, there is none better to give description of the wonders of this National, natural treasure, of its secrets, and of the dangers that beset it today. This lecture is a must for any who love Wilpattu, and for anyone else who wishes to learn more about it. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society Monthly Lecture is open to all members and non-members, admission free.
