The Forum on Disarmament and Development will host the launch of a book titled “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Sri Lanka” January 24, 2019, at 4.00 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07. 

CITES is the global treaty which regulates wildlife trade and is committed to the implementation of provisions to ensure sustainable trade which takes into account, the conservation of wild fauna and flora.

The book launch will precede the Conference of Parties 18 (CoP18) of the CITES to be held in May and June in Colombo this year, setting the stage for important debate and discussion on the subject. The event is said to be the largest international gathering in Sri Lanka since 1948.

The launch will be graced by the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara, Former Director Customs and Director CITES Conference of Parties 18, Sri Lanka’s Secretariat Samantha Gunasekera, Director, Forum on Disarmament and Development and Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, M. A. M. Hakeem.

The book will be the first publication written in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages on CITES and Sri Lanka, while the book also includes the text of the Convention translated into Sinhala and Tamil. The book will be instrumental in helping Sri Lankans comprehending the CITES in their own languages. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

For further inquiries contact Coordinator, Forum on Disarmament and Development Vidya Abhayagunawardena on 077 355 9878 / 011 2671988.

“The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Sri Lanka” January 24, 2019, at 4.00 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07.