Reforest Sri Lanka Needs a Lift

Reforest Sri Lanka is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Reforest Sri Lanka, the largest citizen-driven reforestation movement in the country, has planted over 85,000 trees, in 120+ locations, with contributions from nearly 10,000 volunteers over the last five years.

Unfortunately, we’re still unable to afford our own vehicle because we keep our per plant costs very low, enabling more trees to be planted. But the cost to the society’s members' cars have reached a point where a dedicated 4x4 is welcome, and will greatly improve the efficacy and outcomes of our reforestation activities.

Recently, Sri Lanka has seen unprecedented rates of deforestation, with the relevant authorities turning a blind eye towards the destruction, in the name of ‘development’. As concerned citizens we have taken the lead in restoring thousands of hectares of forest reserve buffer zones, secondary forests, water catchment areas, in the wet/dry zones and the central highlands of beautiful Sri Lanka.

Sadly, we have been falling well behind in the face of this destruction. The main factor hindering our movement has been a lack of resources, especially a 4x4 Double-cab Pick-up. Thus far we have relied on our volunteers toiling and wrecking their personal vehicles to transport plants, our augers (earth drilling machines) and other tools, to some of the wettest, toughest and remote sites in the island. In instances where a suitable vehicle for the terrain is unavailable, we have seen our volunteers carry plants and equipment for hundreds of metres on foot, expending time and effort which could otherwise have been spent more meaningfully.

It has reached a point where this reliance on volunteer sacrifices for plant and equipment transport is no longer sustainable. For instance, the President of the Society has driven nearly 40,000 kms for past events. And now we need your support to help us expand and optimise our reforestation efforts, to fight climate change, conserve our groundwater sources, and protect our tomorrow, today.

How the funds will be used;

- We’re by no means aiming for a brand-new vehicle; rather a used, reliable model.
- The current price (in an excessive, inflated, Sri Lankan market) for a used 4WD Tata Xenon is roughly 2,500,000 LKR (~= 19,000 AUD). We will also have to purchase full insurance for the vehicle from these funds.
- We will maintain a vehicle running chart so all rides are accounted for and will be used for conservation work.
- In addition to conservation, Reforest Sri Lanka was active in 2017 and 2018, supporting relief work in Pahiyangala, Kaluthara and during the Iranamadu Tank (in Kilinochchi) spill. The vehicle can also be used for such relief efforts in addition to our regular tree planting efforts.

Who we are:

Achala Arunalu - President/ Reforest Sri Lanka

Achala founded Reforest Sri Lanka in 2015 with 8 others from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He is a COO of a tech. company. Achala runs his own blog at www.meddegama.com and wishes to see a just society in a world where human driven climate change could be halted and thinks using technology, awareness, active conservation matters.

Madhura Somaweera - Secretary/ Reforest Sri Lanka

Madhura has been an active Reforest Sri Lankan from 2016, supporting the society to grow by volunteering with his entire family many times a year. He is a GM of a leading telco services company and supports many other social responsibility activities including teaching at the local Dhamma school and volunteering with cancer patients.

Chullaka Hapuarachchi - Treasurer/ Reforest Sri Lanka

Chullaka joined Reforest Sri Lanka in 2016, having met us during an event in Horana, his locality. Coming from an SAP consultant background to leading the zero plastic initiative in Sri Lanka by converting an old plastic business to compostable packaging, a first to market venture which sees leading conglomerates change from plastics to sustainable packaging daily.

Kalana Samarasinghe - Committee Member/ Reforest Sri Lanka

Kalana, a volunteer of Reforest Sri Lanka since July 2019, currently living in Melbourne, Australia, and working as a field engineer at the Maintenance Technology Institute, Monash University. He vehemently believes in how fortunate Sri Lanka is for its biodiversity and in support of its active conservation, is running this particular fundraiser on behalf of Reforest Sri Lanka.