Two forests will be declared as protected reserves on Thursday in connection with the Walk for Peace in the Island of Peace, the government has announced.
The forests — Nagahamulayaya in the Matale District and Padavigampola in Kegalle — will be designated through a Sannas Patra, or formal declaration, presented to Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam and other dignitaries taking part in the walk.
Environment Minister Dr. Dhammika Patabendi said the declaration would be handed over when the procession reaches the Beligammana Rajamaha Viharaya in Kegalle on the afternoon of Day Three.
The walk, which began at the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, will cover 25 kilometres on Thursday before concluding at Beligammana Rajamaha Viharaya. Venerable Pannakara Thero and members of the Maha Sangha are walking to draw global attention to peace.
The forest reserve designation marks the first concrete environmental commitment tied to the multi-day pilgrimage, which has so far focused on interfaith and diplomatic engagements, including the interfaith visit to a Kandy mosque on Day Two.
Sri Lanka’s protected area network covers more than a quarter of the island’s landmass through national parks, sanctuaries and forest reserves administered by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department.
