Home to approximately 8% of the country’s indigenous flora and fauna as well as many endangered species, Sri Pada is the third largest peak wilderness sanctuary among 50 sanctuaries in Sri Lanka. The varying high and low altitudes accommodate distinct plant and animal species such as across three primary ecological zones: Lowland Rainforest, Sub-montane Rainforest and Cloud Forest.
The mountain also holds equal cultural and spiritual significance in the Island Nation, where the sacred footprint at the summit of the pilgrimage site is interpreted among all key religions. Buddhists believe the footprint to be of Lord Buddha while Christians believe it to be Adam’s, and Hindus believe it’s the footprint of Lord Shiva.
Renowned for its rich biodiversity, ecological significance, and deep-rooted cultural importance, Sri Pada was declared a Wildlife Nature Reserve in 1940 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. However, despite its protected status, the site now attracts millions of devotees and sightseers from around the world each year. This influx of visitors has led to growing concerns, as the once-pristine ecosystem of Sri Pada has increasingly fallen victim to pollution and environmental degradation.
Siyapatha Finance PLC embarked on a new project for the year 2025 under “Siyapathen Mihikathata”, the finance company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focusing on environmental conservation through collaborative action and education. Initiated under the theme of “Nemadumen Pasu Amaduma”, the project centred on the conservation of Sri Pada, one of the most sacred and acclaimed historical sites in Sri Lanka.
Under the guidance of Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada, Most Venerable Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera and with permission and support of former Nuwara Eliya District Secretary, Mr. Nandana Galaboda, Siyapatha Finance PLC effectively installed hoardings and placed waste disposal bins from Nallathanniya up to the Peak of Sri Pada in an effort to raise awareness on the effects of continuous littering and importance of polythene and plastic waste management. The waste disposal bins were especially placed to encourage the general public to follow proper waste management practices and dispose polythene and plastic waste in a sustainable manner.
Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Siyapatha Finance PLC Managing Director Mr. Ananda Seneviratne noted: “When the ‘Nemadumen Pasu Amaduma’ project was first set in motion by the Management and staff members of the Head Office, we realised the difficulty of cleaning-up the sacred site of Sri Pada after each pilgrimage season. With this, we also understood the gravity of the problem – where the root cause lies. The intention behind installing these hoardings was to give a gentle reminder to the people that each and every one of us hold a responsibility to actively engage in preserving the holy ground of Sri Pada and its glorious biodiversity. Moreover, making it more convenient and motivating for the younger generation to participate, waste bins were placed to dispose of non-biodegradable polythene and plastic.
“Looking at our project at Sri Pada, we see that the first and foremost step is to understand that prevention is always better than the cure even when it comes to nature and environment. We believe we are on the right track to making a lasting change in people’s hearts and minds, and we invite all Sri Lankans to join us in this effort to become responsible, empathetic citizens.”
The project adopted a combined approach of both traditional and digital platforms in order to expand its reach within all demographics. Traditional methods such as the informative hoardings and signage placed across the Sri Pada holy grounds capture the attention of the public on-site. Due to its tangible nature, Siyapatha Finance has successfully reached the primary target audiences to take immediate, straightforward action to conserve the site and its surrounding biological diversity.
With hopes of furthering momentum of the campaign, finance company has integrated digital strategies, spearheaded by its active social media presence, to raise awareness among audiences consistently.
“Siyapathen Mihikathata” is a nationwide project that gathers people from across the country for the primary purpose of preserving treasures such as Sri Pada and its invaluable ecosystems for future generations through proper waste management.
