This year's theme was 'wild fruits of Sri Lanka'.

Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, Senior lecturer, Zoology Department, University of Colombo, Mr. Samantha Gunasekara, former Deputy Director of Customs – Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division and Mr. Jagath Gunawardana, Senior Environment Lawyer also graced the event and encouraged those present on the importance of environmental conservation, and of preserving wild fruits in particular.

Speaking at the launch, SLT Chairman Mr. P.G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena said, “It is a growing concern that the value of wild fruits have not been clearly understood or have been forgotten over the years. Wild fruits are becoming increasingly rare mainly due to destruction of their natural habitats and also due to the degeneration of indigenous knowledge concerning wild fruits, their harvesting techniques and preparation. So this is why we decided to base our 2016 Calendar on the theme ‘Wild Fruits of Sri Lanka’ because the first step to conservation is educating the public. Through these calendars and other programmes that we have lined up for the coming year aligned with the theme “Wild Fruits of Sri Lanka”, we hope to raise awareness amongst the general public about the importance of wild fruits so that we can come together and help to preserve them for the future generations.”

Approximately 120 species of wild fruit types have been recorded in Sri Lanka. Even though some species are flourishing due to high demand, others are on the verge of becoming rare today. SLT encourages the public to join together with them and support towards preserving the wild fruits of Sri Lanka for the future generations.

SLT Calendar 2016 was produced after much research and with the valuable support and advice of Dr. Samantha Suranjan Fernando - Field Ecologist, Center for Applied Biodiversity Research and Education who was the resource person for SLT Calendar 2016.

(Pics : Roshan Chathuranga)