‘Vanasurekuma’ hotline records over 500 public complaints

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Nov. 13 (Daily Mirror) - The Environment Ministry announced that more than 500 public complaints have been received through the 1995 short number of the “Vanasurekuma” center, which operates under the Ministry’s “Vanaspathi” environmental protection program.

Accordingly, the hotline has become a key channel for citizens to report incidents such as forest destruction, wildlife crimes, illegal reclamation of mangrove wetlands, and encroachments on protected forest areas.

Between November 3 and November 12, 2025 (as of 12 noon), a total of 61 complaint calls were recorded — the majority concerning encroachments on protected forests and wildlife-related offenses.

Of the total complaints received so far, 53 cases were connected to the Forest Conservation Department. Investigations into 13 of these cases have been completed and legal action has already been initiated. The remaining 40 cases are currently under investigation at the respective Forest Conservation Office level, with legal proceedings expected to follow promptly.

In addition, eight complaints linked to the Department of Wildlife Conservation have been forwarded for legal action following initial investigations.

The Ministry said that the main purpose of establishing the Vanasurekuma operational unit is to ensure swift response and legal enforcement regarding public complaints about environmental degradation and illegal activities threatening Sri Lanka’s natural ecosystems.