Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by Florence Wickramage

Sarath Kotagama

The international Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) has honoured Sri Lanka's only Professor of Environment and Ornithology Pro. Sarath Kotagama with the "2003 Distinguished Service Award for Education and Journalism. Prof. Kotagama who has made extraordinary contributions to environmental reform and education in the country for over three decades, will receive the prestigious award at a special ceremony at Minnesota University in Duluth on July 2.

The SCB, with a membership of over 6,000 science experts in 90 countries, is the premier professional society for those seeking to conserve biological diversity. The SCB awards are presented on annual basis in five (previously six) different categories to organisations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the mission. They represent the highest recognition that the Society bestows upon colleagues in the struggle to study, protect, sustain, and restore that diversity.

Prof. Kotagama is the third Asian and the only Sri Lankan to receive the award. India's Anil Agrawal and a Malaysian environmentalist were the earlier two winners of this award.

Prof. Kotagama is at present Prof. of Environmental Science at the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo and has served as Wetland Consultant from September 1992 to October 1992 and Biodiversity Consultant from October 1994 to September 1995.

Prof. Kotagama has many 'firsts' to his credit. He founded the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), the 'March for Conservation', 'The Young Zoologists Association', 'The Sri Lanka Environmental Foundation', 'The Mihikatha Foundation', 'The Mihikatha Institute' and the semi-government 'Wild Life Trust'.

He has also authoured several publications mostly on birds and has made outstanding national contributions. Significant among these are the National Wildlife Policy for Sri Lanka (1990) and the National Wetland Conservation Policy for Sri Lanka (1997). Strategy for the Preparation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan for Sri Lanka (1997).

Prof. Kotagama began his study of birds as a student of St. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa under the guidance of the Rev. Foster.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager