Dhaka : Colombo, Sri Lanka – Pioneering movement to raise awareness on regional climate change issues, the South Asian Climate Change Journalist’s Forum (SACCJF) formed its latest chapter in Sri Lanka on Saturday, July 26th at the Bolagala Agro Floating Resort in Katana, Negombo.
The event was held in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA – Estd. in 1955) and was attended by SACCJF President Asish Gupta from Delhi, India, Secretary General Karamot Ullah Biplob from Dhaka, Bangladesh and SACCJF Treasurer Masum Billah from Dhaka, Bangladesh, who arrived in Colombo last week for a special five-day visit.
A group of active and passionate Sri Lankan journalists committed to reporting on environmental and climate change issues were appointed to the inaugural Executive Committee. Addressing the gathering, President SACCJF Asish Gupta said that journalists are not merely observers but narrators of truth and amplifiers of unheard voices.
He emphasized that when journalists report on the harsh realities of a submerged village or a failed crop they are not just sharing news but are building a call for action. He called on Sri Lanka to bring its unique environmental stories to the global stage.
Secretary General SACCJF Karamot Ullah Biplob commended the notable participation of women journalists at the event, significantly higher than in any other previously formed South Asian Chapters such as India, Bangladesh and Nepal. He stressed the importance of journalists using their voice to raise awareness and seek justice for the environment.
Newly appointed SACCJF – Sri Lanka Chapter President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana welcomed the foreign delegates, expressing his honour to collaborate on global climate matters. He described climate change as the greatest challenge facing all living beings on Earth and pledged the chapter’s full commitment in working on sustainable and effective solutions.
A special award was presented jointly by the SLPA and SACCJF to the Chairman Bolagala Agro Floating Resort Kelum Perera and Managing Director Aruna Perera in recognition of the innovative eco-tourism concept he developed at Bolagala, Katana, where abandoned clay quarry was restored into an attractive environmental tourist resort. SACCJF Secretary General Biplob praised the resort and said he had not seen a similar concept elsewhere in the region. He invited Mr. Perera to introduce this model in other South Asian countries.
The visiting delegation was officially received by SLPA President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana along with National Secretary Tharaka Wickramasekara and National Organizer Thilanka Kanakarathna during preliminary discussions held in Colombo.
Established in line with the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022, the SACCJF has already established chapters in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The formation of the Pakistan Chapter is scheduled in August.
The SACCJF – Sri Lanka Chapter is as follows; President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana (Daily Mirror), Vice President Vineetha M. Gamage (Monara), General Secretary Supun Maduwantha Abeysena (DAN TV, Yarl TV), Joint Secretary Savani Sheshadhi (Mawbima) and Treasurer Krishna D. Edirisinghe (Aruna).
The Executive Committee Members are Mithun Jayawardena (Ceylon Today), Nidharshani Wickramasinghe (ADA), Ishu Bandara (Sunday Times), Thilanka Kanakarathna (freelance), Akila Nadeeshani Bandara (Monara) and Daminda Harsha Perera (Daily FT).
The newly formed SACCJF – Sri Lanka Chapter is committed to address the nation’s pressing environmental concerns and contribute to the regional efforts in combating the ongoing crisis of climate change.
