Lanka Environment Fund
Supporting local environmental and conservation groups to make a positive impact and bring about long-lasting change.
Established in 2019, the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting conservation initiatives across Sri Lanka. By providing grant funding and facilitating international contributions, LEF empowers local organisations to protect biodiversity, restore natural habitats and promote sustainable development.
The DHD Foundation provides funding, operational support and governance to LEF. Both co-founders sit on the Steering Committee, with Daisy Honeybunn serving as Chair.
Lanka Environment Fund believes that empowering local conservation groups is the most effective way to create long-term environmental impact.
To achieve this, LEF raises funds both locally and internationally, partnering with individuals, businesses and organisations committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s natural heritage. As conservation administrators, they ensure transparency, accountability and tangible results by collaborating with trusted local partners.
LEF is part of the Conservation Collective, a global network of locally-led environmental foundations, which strengthens its ability to share knowledge, coordinate funding and scale impact.
It also serves as a bridge between global funders and on-the-ground initiatives, developing systems that enable projects to grow and succeed.
Since its inception in 2019, LEF has mobilised over $1 million in funding for 16 conservation projects across Sri Lanka, with a focus on community empowerment and ecosystem restoration.
LEF’s work is guided by four key focus areas: marine conservation, terrestrial ecosystem conservation, effective waste management and responsible tourism.
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Sri Lanka’s coastal waters are among the most biodiverse in the world. They are home to whales, dolphins, coral reefs and countless marine species. But they are under growing threat from overfishing, plastic pollution and unregulated tourism. With limited marine protection, many coastal ecosystems and fisheries face degradation and overexploitation.
With only a handful of protected areas and limited enforcement, marine life is being pushed to the brink. From ship strikes on endangered blue whales to coastlines choked with plastic, the signs of stress are everywhere.
LEF works with local conservation groups to protect marine ecosystems and the communities who depend on them. Their support focuses on:
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Promoting responsible whale and dolphin watching
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Funding marine research to inform advocacy and protection
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Campaigning to shift shipping lanes and reduce harm to endangered species
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Supporting education, clean-up efforts and long-term solutions to plastic pollution
These efforts are not just about saving species. They are about restoring balance, protecting livelihoods and preserving something irreplaceable.
Photos: © Adam Moore, Edges of Earth
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Sri Lanka’s forests and highlands are home to some of the world’s most unique and endangered species, including elephants, leopards, and a high number of endemic plants and animals. However, deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, and poorly planned development are putting these fragile ecosystems at risk.
From disappearing rainforests to overexploited highlands, the loss of natural habitats threatens biodiversity, water security, and local livelihoods. In many areas, the balance between people and nature is breaking down.
LEF supports local conservation efforts that aim to restore ecosystems and protect species while working alongside communities. Their focus includes:
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Reforesting high mountain catchment areas, also known as Sri Lanka’s “water towers”
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Supporting projects that track wildlife movements to reduce conflict
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Promoting environmental education and stewardship in forest-edge communities
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Preserving habitats critical to elephants, leopards, and other iconic species
This work protects not just nature, but the people who rely on it. Healthier forests mean healthier futures for all species.
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Across Sri Lanka, the lack of a national waste management system has led to widespread pollution, harming both people and wildlife. Plastic waste clogs rivers, washes up on beaches and is even found in the stomachs of elephants and marine animals.
In 2017, a massive landslide at the Meethotamulla landfill in Colombo killed at least 32 people and destroyed more than 140 homes. It was a devastating reminder that unmanaged waste is not only an environmental issue, but a human one.
From illegal dumpsites near protected areas to coastlines overwhelmed by plastic debris, the consequences of inaction are clear. As tourism grows, so does the pressure.
LEF works with local groups to create community-led, sustainable waste solutions. Their support includes:
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Plastic collection, segregation and recycling
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Clean-up campaigns and public awareness drives
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Education that encourages behaviour change
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Building local infrastructure for long-term impact
Waste management is often overlooked in conservation, but it is one of the most visible and urgent challenges facing Sri Lanka’s future.
Photos: © Adam Moore, Edges of Earth
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Sri Lanka’s growing tourism industry brings both opportunity and risk. Without proper regulation and planning, the country’s natural beauty, the very thing that attracts visitors, could be its most vulnerable asset. Rows of whale-watching adverts may signal economic promise, but they also highlight the urgent need for responsibility.
Increased footfall in sensitive ecosystems, unchecked development and poorly managed operations can lead to habitat destruction, pollution and biodiversity loss. But with the right approach, tourism can support conservation and strengthen communities.
LEF works with local organisations and tourism operators to promote sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact while supporting local livelihoods. Their support includes:
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Creating sustainability guidelines for tourism businesses
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Helping small enterprises adopt environmentally responsible methods
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Supporting conservation efforts in areas impacted by tourism
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Raising awareness of biodiversity among both visitors and hosts
Tourism done well can help protect the very places people travel to see. LEF is helping to ensure that conservation is part of the journey.
Photos: © Adam Moore, Edges of Earth
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Projects and Programmes – Lanka Environment Fund
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