ABSTRACT
Sri Lanka experiences a great damage to its biological wealth due to various human impacts. Large collection of records available in the 16th–19th centuries disclose that exploitation of biodiversity of Sri Lanka exploded as a result of the change in the political, economic, social, and cultural environment in the colonial days. In the last century, large extent of natural forests, grasslands, and marshlands were transformed to agricultural land and infrastructure development for increasing human population. As far as the conservation of biodiversity in Sri Lanka is concerned, it is apparent that the influence of Buddhist philosophical thoughts in customary law of land had provided a strong support in protecting biodiversity in ancient times. Similarly, the valuable input by foreign scientists and visitors in developing botanical and zoological literary work, establishment of protected areas and species toward the end of colonial period cannot be overlooked. The country after gaining independence continued and strengthened biodiversity conservation activities by incorporating it into the government policy and becoming a party to many international treaties and agreements.
