The conference is organized jointly by: the Sri Lanka’s National MAB Committee, the National Science Foundation and the International MAB Secretariat, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, UNESCO.

Sri Lanka MAB Committee

The National Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Committee is the focal point for UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme in Sri Lanka. This committee has a distinguished history in Sri Lanka since its establishment in 1971 by UNESCO via an inter-governmental programme of interdisciplinary research on Man and the Biosphere.  Sri Lanka’s National MAB Committee is appointed with the approval of the Minister of Science and Technology, and it is convened by the National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka.

The Technical and Organizational Advisory Commitee - a sub commitee of the National MAB Committee is the main technical and organizational adviser to the Conference and provides guidance to the NSF Conference Secretariat. 

National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a premier state institution with a history dating back to the National Science Council established in 1968. It was later reconstituted as the Natural Resources, Energy & Science Authority (NARESA) in 1981 to have a wide mandate. This was again restructured to form the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Science and Technology Development Act No. 11 of 1994 with the objectives of:

• Initiating, facilitating and supporting basic and applied scientific research by universities, science & technology institutions, and scientists,
• Fostering the interchange of scientific information among scientist in Sri Lanka and foreign countries.
• Awarding scholarships and fellowships for scientific study or scientific work at science and technology institutions,
• Popularizing science amongst the people.

The International Liaison Division of the National Science Foundation (www.nsf.ac.lk) is responsible for carrying out the organizational activities of the Conference through the Conference Secretariat.

International MAB Secretariat (www.unesco.org), Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, UNESCO

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has a worldwide reach, most visibly through its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) (www.unesco.org/mab/wnbrs.shtml), with more than 450 sites in 102 countries.  Amongst other interests, the MAB programme is specifically concerned with conservation of biodiversity conservation through:

• Reducing biodiversity loss,
• Improving livelihoods, and  
• Enhancing social, economic and cultural conditions necessary for environmental sustainability.

The MAB programme is nested within UNESCO’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences which is responsible for UNESCO's Ecology related programmes. These are notable for their focus on an interdisciplinary research agenda spanning the ecological, social and economic dimensions of biodiversity loss and its reduction. UNESCO's Geosciences approach through its ecological programmes targets societal problems related to hydrogeology, paleo-ecosystems, and climate change and promotes the role of earth sciences and Global Earth Observation for sustainable development.

UNESCO, through the International MAB Secretariat and the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, supports the National MAB Committee with technical expertise and part funding for the Conference.

The People behind the scenes . . . .

The Technical and Organizational Advisory Committee for the Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems: changes, challenges and opportunities.

This Committee deals with all the planning, providing organizational and technical advice and conference documentation. The members also take lead roles in organizing the post conference workshops and special events.

Dr Jinie Dela	- Chairperson and member National MAB Committee
Dr N. Ishwaran	- Coordinator between UNESCO and the Advisory Committee
Dr Channa Bambaradeniya	– IUCN Regional Office Asia, member National MAB Committee and Chairman of Technical Review Panel
Mr Anura Sathurusinghe	– Conservator of Forests, Forest Department and member National MAB Committee, Chairman of Conference Excursion Organizing Panel
Ms Anusha Amarasinghe	–Convenor, Secretary National MAB Committee and Head, International Liaison Division, NSF
Ms Nishanthi Perera	- Coordinator to link activities between the NSF and the Advisory Committee and coordinating activities between the NSF Conference Secretariat and Professional Conference Organizer
Ms Shalini Ratwatte - Volunteer to assist the sub committee on planning and liaison with sponsors.
The Technical Review Panel which functions under the guidance of the The Technical and Organizational Advisory Committee for the Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems: changes, challenges and opportunities. Dr Channa Bambaradeniya (Chairman) Ms Christine Dasanayake(Convenor) Dr N.Ishwaran Dr Jinie Dela Mr Anura Sathurusinghe Ms Anusha Amarasinghe Dr Senaka Basnayake Mr Shambhu Dangal Mr Steve Hunt Dr Mala Amarasinghe Dr N. D. R. Weerawardane Dr Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu Dr A. H. Magdon Jayasuriya Dr Mayuri Wijesinghe Dr Bhujangarao Dharmaji Prof. Nimal Gunatilleka Prof. Savithri Gunatilleka Conference Excursion Organizing Panel which supports the The Technical and Organizational Advisory Committee for the Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems: changes, challenges and opportunities. Mr Anura Sathurusinghe (Chairman) Dr A.H.Magdon Jayasuriya Dr Devaka Weerakoon Dr U.K.G.K. Padmalal Mr Sarath Ekanayake Mr Anslem de Silva Mr Wasantha Dissanayake The NSF Organizational Secretariat
Ms Anusha Amarasinghe	- Head ILD and liaison with Advisory Committee
Ms Christine Dasanayake	- Scientific Officer
Ms Lakmini Fernando	- Scientific Officer
Ms Sujini Gamage	- Scientific Officer
Mr Gayanga Lakruwan	-Conference IT Officer (Web master of this website) /<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\ Mr.W.G.G.Lakruwan Science & Technology Officer - IT Unit National Science Foundation No.47/5, Maitland Place, Colombo 07. Sri Lanka. Phone (Official): +94 112 682353 E Mail : gayanga@nsf.ac.lk \<<<<>>>>/\<<<<>>>>/\<<<<>>>>/ Close
Ms Rukshani Pathirana	- Computer Applications Assistant

Web credits

Conference logo: Tony Hopman

Webtext : Dr Jinie Dela

Web design: W G G Lakruwan

Volunteers to asssit at the conference
Ms Shwetha de Silva
Mr Thilina Surasinghe
Ms Irangani Peiris