Sri Lanka's Department of Forest Conservation has issued a concerning report, revealing that approximately 55 hectares of forest cover have been decimated by recent forest fires.

These destructive fires, which have occurred over the past few weeks, are posing a significant threat to the country’s delicate ecosystem.

Nishantha Edirisinghe, the Director General of the Department of Forest Conservation, highlighted the severity of the damage, describing it as an environmental tragedy. He emphasized that the loss of such a vast expanse of forest not only impacts Sri Lanka's biodiversity but also disturbs its natural balance.

In response to this crisis, the Department of Forest Conservation is gearing up to launch a community awareness week, scheduled to commence on the 25th of March. The initiative aims to educate and engage the public in proactive measures to prevent forest fires.