KDU Siripa Sathkaraya 2024: (වනසමුද, සුරකිමුද) Preserve or Destroy?

With the motive of promoting environmental protection and fostering the love for nature, event “KDU-Manusath Derana Siripa Sathkaraya 2024” was conducted on May 17^th and 18^th. This social welfare project was organized under the patronage of Venerable Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Rajamahaviharadhipathi of Pelmadulla Rajamaha Vihara, former Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, Rajamahaviharadhipathi of Sri Pada. The initiative was launched by KDU as a joint effort with the District Secretariats of Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura and “Manusath Derana.” 

The primary goal of this social welfare project was to bring the message of keeping the sacred Sri Pada site clean and tidy to the general public through awareness campaigns and volunteerism.

Sri Pada, a site of immense religious and historical significance, is also home to a rich array of endemic flora and fauna. The waters descending from the cone-shaped mountain feed into two major rivers of Sri Lanka: Kelani and Kalu.

This natural bounty supports a diverse ecosystem, including numerous animals. In the distant past, the devotees who visited Sri Pada left only their footprints at the site. However, today, the majority of those who embark on the pilgrimage disregard traditional practices and irresponsibly leave behind non-degradable waste such as plastic bottles and polythene without self-discipline.

According to the analysis of environmentalists, hundreds of tons of non-degradable solid waste are released into the surrounding environment during the  Sripada season. Identifying the urgency of the situation, KDU took the initiative to be a part of the solution.

Implemented with active participation from government bodies, local authorities, and Manusath Derana, the program included an awareness campaign, a cleaning drive, and research on conservation and pollution prevention at the sacred place.

The theme of the initiative “Wanasamuda? Rekagamuda?” (Preserve or Destroy?) underscores the critical choice facing all stakeholders. The Vice Chancellor, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara VSV USP psc MMaritime Pol BSc (DS ),Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence And Administration) Major General CA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC with  academic and non-academic staff and over 1400 officer cadets and day scholars of KDU participated in this comprehensive program, covering the Hatton – Nallathanniya, Ratnapura – Palabaddala, and Erathna- Kuruwita routes to the peak.

On May 17, groups of KDU students departed from Colombo Pettah Railway Station to the Sri Pada site via Hatton-Nallathanniya, Erathna-Kuruwita, and Ratnapura-Palabaddala routes. The awareness campaign was launched from the Pettah Railway Station and covering all the routes street dramas, announcements, and displays emphasizing the importance of conserving Sri Pada wer featured.

On May 18^th , the “Siripa Sathkaraya” commenced from the ‘Uda Maluwa’, with volunteers descending through the three main routes, collecting and removing non-degradable waste left by pilgrims. Starting at 7:00 am from the peak, the clean-up parties tackled the Hatton route, Palabaddala route, and Erathna-Ratnapura route. Alongside a significant media campaign, the initiative aimed to raise awareness and transform the basic ideology of “Wanasamuda? Rekagamuda?” at Adam’s Peak, supported by a novel communication program on KDU’s website and Facebook pages.

The  active participation of the KDU Rotaract Club, KDU National Rover Crew, and university students was critical in the success of the project. The KDU Center for Disaster Management and Research took measures to gather necessary environmental data to propose long-term solutions to these issues. The project was organized under the guidance and supervision of Rear Admiral Dhammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS), Vice-Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.