Sri Lanka, Oct. 9 -- Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi stated in Parliament that the Government has initiated a programme to designate mangrove ecosystems which are under threat due to various reasons as forest reserves.

He said that accordingly, 141 mangrove ecosystems have already been designated as reserves; the Minister further noted that, following the assumption of power by the current National People's Power (NPP) Government, steps have been taken to designate an additional 20 mangrove ecosystems as reserves during the 2025-2026 period.

Responding to questions raised by SJB MP Hector Appuhamy in the House yesterday (8) during the Questions for Oral Answers session, the Minister stated that a total of 20,664.51 hectares o...