"The history of wildlife protection in Sri Lanka is almost synonymous with that of Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka ... "

The British gained control of the whole of Sri Lanka (or Ceylon as it was then called) in 1815 with the annexure of the Kandyan provinces. Earlier they occupied only the Maritime Provinces following the ousting of the Dutch in 1796. Access to the mountainous central provinces led to an influx of Britons who cleared the jungles and commenced coffee cultivation; later this was changed to tea plantations.

These British planters lived secluded lives in remote places, their only relaxation being visits to the clubs that were established by them in the larger towns. Jungles full of wild animals bordered the estates, and hunting became a pastime enjoyed by many.

By the 1870’s wildlife numbers were declining rapidly as a result of uncontrolled hunting. Those responsible were not only the planters but also commercial hunters who traded in dried meat, horns and hides. In an attempt to reduce this destruction the Government introduced various bits of legislation over the next few years:

- Ordinance to prevent wasteful destruction of buffaloes and game throughout the Island’ – 1872. This resulted in the declaration of a closed season for hunting buffalo and deer between April and September.

- Ordinance to prevent the wanton destruction of elephants, buffaloes and other game’ – 1891. Under this ordinance a license was required to shoot or capture an elephant and night hunting was prohibited.

- Ordinance to prevent wanton destruction of birds, beasts and fishes not indigenous to this colony’ – 1894. This was designed to protect birds such as pheasants that were being introduced to the Island.

It was in this backdrop that the Ceylon Game Protection Society, the forerunner to the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS), was formed in 1894. The inaugural meeting was held on the 23rd of May 1894 at the Bristol Hotel in Colombo. Following a resolution moved at the meeting the Government banned the exportation of the hides of sambhur and spotted deer for a period of 5 years from January 1st, 1885. At its second meeting the Society moved the adoption of rules that required its members to see that the provisions of Game Ordinances were enforced within their districts. It also made provision that any rewards paid to a member who gave information that led to a successful prosecution would be paid to the Society’s funds. The same meeting adopted a proposal to employ game watchers paid out of Society funds, but the first watchers were so employed only in 1899. During this time the Society was active in ensuring good hunting for its members, whether by shooting or by hunting with hounds. Hunting by hounds – using packs of trained dogs – was restricted to the jungles above 4000 feet. Resident Sportsmen’s Reserves were maintained by the society for this purpose and supervised by paid watchers and volunteer wardens appointed by the Society (the Southern Province Residents’ Reserve eventually became Yala Block 1). One of the duties of the watchers was to detect poaching and to take action in accordance with the game ordinances. This was a function that the society undertook as it felt that the Forest Department (established in 1886) that had the responsibility of enforcing these ordinances, was not up to the task. In time, the Forest Department took over more of the patrolling work and the role of the Society’s watchers changed to that of being just trackers.

The Society had a close relationship with the Government from the beginning; its members were all British, many holding high office and therefore influential. The situation persisted even after 1931 when a constitution was adopted that paved the way for ministers. Indeed, Mr. D. S. Senanayake, who was the Minister of Agriculture and Lands was elected an honorary member of the Society at the Annual General Meeting of 1931. The Forest Department, that was responsible for wildlife at the time, came under his Ministry.

In 1937, a new Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance came into force. Representatives of the Society were invited to sit on the statutory Fauna and Flora Protection Advisory Committee that had much influence on shaping official thinking on wildlife conservation. Under this Ordinance the Sportsmen’s Reserves became Intermediate Zones and passed out of the hands of the Society.

The name of the Society that was adopted in 1894 – Game Protection Society of Ceylon – indicated its principal aim, that of protecting game from indiscriminate slaughter. Changing perceptions in 1930 led to change of the name to Ceylon Game and Fauna Protection Society, where animals other than game were also included for protection. A major change was made in 1955 when the name was again revised to Wildlife Protection Society of Ceylon, indicating a change in emphasis from protection of game for the benefit of hunters. Hunting was still legal and a pastime of many members. The final change came in 1971 when the present name – Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Ceylon (later of Sri Lanka) – was adopted and emphasis was given to the protection of their habitats as well.

In 1894, when the Society was first established, the emblem was the side view of the face of the European Red Deer.  In 1929, it was changed to be the head of a Sambhur, an emblem that is continued with today.

With this Act of Parliament, the Society became the first Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) to be incorporated by an Act of Parliament.  The previous year, in 1967, it had become the first NGO to become a full-fledged member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Nature Resources (IUCN).

The first issue of the journal Loris was published in 1936. The journal is published bi-annually and every cover, in a corner of it, has a picture of a Slender Loris holding onto two branches with a crescent moon in the background. It is published in English and, like its sister publication, the Warana, is illustrated with colour photographs of high standard.

Warana was the Sinhala Language publication of the Society that has now extended to carrying articles in the Tamil Language too, with summaries of each article in both of the other two official languages. This publication is particularly popular amongst the students of the Schools Nature Clubs affiliated to the Society.

In 1900, after constant pressure from the Society, the Government proclaimed theYala and Wilpattu Reserves under the Forest Ordinance. Previously, what is now the Ruhunu National Park (Yala) – Block I, had been sectioned off as the Resident Sportsmen's Reserve. The Society paid the wages of the 'watchers' posted in the Reserve to prevent poaching.

In 1938, the Hon. D. S. Senanayake, then Minister of Agriculture, was instrumental in having the Fauna and Flora Ordinance (FFPO) passed into Law. Once again, as championed by the Society, Yala and Wilpattu were declared as National Parks in that same year.

Much later, in 1972, the Society were again in the forefront of establishing the Uda Walawe National Park, working closely with the Department of Wildlife Conservation, to extend the primary purpose of preserving the catchment area of the reservoir to that of conserving its wildlife too.

Most famously, the Society fought for the preservation of the integrity of the Sinharaja World Heritage Site when its existence was endangered by a plan to conduct logging within its confines for paper manufacture. This brought the Society much National recognition.

In 1930, the Fauna and Flora Protection Committee (FFPC) was established by the Government and members of the Society were heavily represented on it.  At this time, wildlife came under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture and of the Forest Department.  It soon became clear that a separate statutory entity was required to oversee the needs of the conservation of the wild creatures of Sri Lanka, and of the wild places they inhabited.  Once again, particularly through its representation on the FFPC, the Society urged the establishment of a Department of Wildlife Conservation and in 1949, this important department was set up.

While the General Committee of the Society concentrate on the administrative functions of the Society, its sub-committees, with a Chair appointed from the General Committee, drive the main conservation initiatives of the Society. Membership of these committees are not reserved for members of the General Committee alone, but members of the Society, and others, may be co-opted onto them. The main such committees are as follows:

• The Conservation Sub-committee
• The Human – Elephant Co-existence Sub-committee
• The Schools Nature Club Sub-committee
• The Reforestation Sub-committee
• The Bungalows Sub-committee
• The Members Participation Sub-committee
• The Library Sub-committee
• The Fund Raising Sub-committee

The Society maintains three (3) bungalows, all placed at idyllic locations, on the borders of the Yala, Wilpattu and Uda Walawe National Parks.  Though members receive subsidised reservation fees, they are open to the public as well, subject to availability.

The Society hosts 10 public lectures a year (except in the months of April and December) at which renowned scientists and conservationists make presentations on current issues.  This series has proved of tremendous success, and is open to the public.

At 123 years of age, the Society has achieved all it has thanks to the strength and commitment of its membership. We are now at a time when the pressures on the wild places and wild creatures of this country are of such magnitude that it is not always possible for just one organization to take on all of the battles for their preservation. Nevertheless, the Society is committed to try – through all means possible and in partnership with others – to ensure that the natural, National heritage we inherited from our forebears is passed on to generations to come. As such, please join us in this noble endeavour by enrolling as members of the WNPS, and actively engaging in its work. Together we can fight to preserve these wonderful creatures and beautiful places for posterity to enjoy, and to thank us for our efforts.

Membership forms are available at the Head Office, or on line at www.wnpssl.org.