Building Long Term Capacity to Combat IWT in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world, further making it a hotspot for wildlife trafficking. Due to its strategic location between Africa and East Asian countries, Sri Lanka’s ports have become an essential nexus for the wildlife trafficking industry. “Building Long Term Capacity to Combat IWT in Sri Lanka project” initiative of the Darwin Initiative of United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) currently implemented by the Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL) in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) aims to build long-term capacity to tackle wildlife trafficking in Sri Lanka. This will be accomplished by reviving the Sri Lanka Wildlife Enforcement Network (SLaWEN) and addressing the lack of a coordinated approach from the prosecution and enforcement agencies in curbing the presence of IWT in Sri Lanka. The project is funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund which is a UK government grants scheme.

The Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation Course for Sri Lanka Wildlife Enforcement Network (SLaWEN) Officers was held over 10 days, from the 27^th of February to the 30^th of March 2023, consisting of three sessions that included informative lectures, hands-on experience during fieldwork, and active discussions. The event fostered collaboration, encouraging collective efforts for wildlife conservation, and establishing new connections among SLaWEN focal points. The relationships formed during the workshop continued to persist, contributing to the reinstatement of the SLaWEN which is nearing completion in alignment with the project’s initial goal, the shared mission of combating illegal wildlife trade.

The very first step towards the reigniting of the Sri Lanka Wildlife Enforcement Network (SLaWEN) was the first Programme Development Meeting with the Focal Points of the SLaWEN institutions that was held on 31st of January 2023 at Renuka City Hotel, Colombo. The meeting brought together officers from 13 SLaWEN institutes and they resolved to expand the network by including the Sri Lanka Navy and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The most notable point was the identification of the need for a common procedure in combating IWT, and as a result, a working paper promoting collaboration and strengthening capacities to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in Sri Lanka was decided to share with the focal points SLaWEN.

The Second Program Development meeting took place on November 3^rd, 2023 at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo. A noteworthy outcome of the meeting was the finalisation of a comprehensive working paper, meticulously prepared through extensive conversations with the SLaWEN committee.

A climactic achievement within the project, the Judicial Enhanced Awareness Program on Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) in Sri Lanka for Magistrates, was achieved over three days from September 8th to 10th, 2023, at Giritale. This program comprised highly informative sessions, field visits, and guided discussions that gave magistrates a distinctive opportunity to delve into and comprehend the profound significance of Sri Lanka’s magnificent biodiversity. The field trip to the intriguing Kaudulla National Park, as well as a visit to the Giritale Museum, provided interesting experiences for the participants.

The Relationship Building Forum, held on November 24^th, 2023 at Waters Edge Hotel Colombo, aimed to strengthen relationships among the judiciary, law enforcement and prosecuting authorities, and the Attorney-General’s Department in combating wildlife trade and trafficking. Hon. Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare (retired) and Deputy Solicitor Generals of the Attorney-General’s Department provided valuable insights at the forum. Representatives from SLaWEN agencies, including the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka Police, Forest Department, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, contributed to the forum. The forum highlighted emerging trends in illegal wildlife trafficking in Sri Lanka and explored solutions for a more unified and effective approach in the future.

The “Excellence Awards for the Best Law Enforcement Officers of SLaWEN – 2023” is an award scheme established to motivate and encourage the better performance of law enforcement officers. The scheme recognised outstanding achievements of officers from SLaWEN in combating illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. The first award ceremony was held on December 21st at Lavender Hall of BMICH and was attended by the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Ministerial Secretary, heads of SLaWEN institutions, the selection committee, and other dignitaries. The ceremony honoured five officers from the Department of Forests, four from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, two from Sri Lanka Customs, and three from the Sri Lanka Police as the “Best Law Enforcement Officers of SLaWEN 2023.”

The “Program Development Meeting with Heads and Focal Points of SLaWEN institutes” was held on December 21st, 2023, at the BMICH Colombo, with the participation of Hon. Minister Ms. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation of Sri Lanka, and Heads and focal points of the SLaWEN institutes.  A major aspect of the meeting was the presentation of the working paper, which was meticulously developed through intensive conversations with SlaWEN focal points. The paper aims to connect all 15 institutes and significantly contribute to the growth of SLaWEN. The document will be signed and authorised by the heads of the Agencies in the near future.