A Plantation Sector Forum under the “Partnerships and InnovativeFinancing to Mainstream Biodiversity and Sustainable LandManagement in Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone (GEF-7 Project)” wassuccessfully held on 04 March 2026 in Colombo, bringing together keystakeholders from across the plantation sector.
The forum convened around 100 participants, includingrepresentatives from government agencies related to the plantationsector, plantation companies, development agencies, and academicexperts. The event provided an important platform for dialogue,collaboration, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders workingtowards strengthening sustainability within Sri Lanka’s plantationlandscape.
During the forum, participants were introduced to the objectives andstrategic focus of the GEF-7 project, highlighting its importance for theplantation sector in promoting sustainable land management (SLM)and biodiversity conservation. Discussions explored how theseapproaches can be integrated into plantation management practicesto enhance long-term environmental sustainability while supportingsectoral productivity and resilience.
A key focus of the project is the promotion of Public-Private-PeoplePartnerships (PPPP) to strengthen collaboration between governmentinstitutions, private plantation companies, local communities, anddevelopment partners. The forum also highlighted the project’semphasis on innovative financing mechanisms, including theexploration of new financial approaches that support biodiversityconservation and sustainable land management within plantationlandscapes.
Representatives from government agencies and plantation sectorcompanies actively shared their experiences, ideas, and suggestionsduring the discussions. Participants also reflected on existingchallenges in integrating sustainable practices within plantationsystems and explored potential pathways and collaborative actions toaddress them.
The forum concluded with a shared understanding of the importanceof collective action and partnerships in advancing sustainableplantation management, ensuring both environmental conservationand long-term economic sustainability for the sector.
