Sri Lanka Showcases Wildlife Tourism Potential in the UK
Following the conclusion of the Global Bird Fair 2025, the Sri Lanka Wildlife Tourism Festival was held in London from July 15 to 17 at the Sri Lanka High Commission. This event was co-hosted by the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Cinnamon Hotels, and the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Foundation. The festival featured a wildlife exhibition, panel discussions, visual storytelling, and networking sessions.
The opening ceremony, held on 15 July, brought together approximately 100 participants. High Commissioner Nimal Senadheera highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential as a regenerative tourism destination. British wildlife photographer and explorer Paul Goldstein delivered a keynote address on the country’s biodiversity and landscapes, followed by a wildlife photography exhibition and informal discussions with conservationists, researchers, diplomats, and travel professionals.
On 16 July, a High Tea Panel Discussion explored the theme “Sri Lanka as a Diverse Wildlife and Nature Tourism Destination.” The session was moderated by naturalist and author Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, who also gave a presentation on why Sri Lanka offers a wide range of wildlife experiences.
The panel included:
Chitral Jayatilake – Sri Lanka: A Safari Through an Ecological Wonder
Chandika Jayaratne – Marketing Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Products for Conservation
Juliet Coombe – Elephant Conservation
Dushyantha Silva – Roots of Keystone Species: A New Perspective for Tourism
Chris Coe – A Photographer’s Impressions of Sri Lanka
The discussion encouraged exchange between conservationists, tourism professionals, and the public, emphasizing opportunities to integrate wildlife conservation with responsible tourism development.
The festival is part of Sri Lanka’s broader effort to promote itself in the UK as a destination for nature-based and purpose-driven travel, with a focus on conservation, culture, and community.
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