About the Primatalogical Society
of Sri Lanka
Launched in October 2016 at the conclusion of the Asian Primatological Society meeting held at the Mt Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka, the PSSL acts as a forum for professionals working in the primate field and their network of peopl who have a special interest in primates.
Vision & Objectives
About The Primatalogical Society of Sri Lanka
The Primatological Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) serves as a platform for professionals dedicated to primatology and primate conservation within the country. It brings together primate experts, their teams, and affiliated networks actively involved in various aspects of primate research and conservation. These include research on primates and their habitats- encompassing vegetation analysis, and cutting-edge techniques such as use of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, paving the way for more effective species and habitat conservation strategies. The PSSL also focuses on habitat conservation, mitigating human-monkey conflict; education and awareness initiatives; and fostering collaborations with local communities, the general public, and overseas primate experts. At the heart of the PSSL lies a community of experts on the different species of primates in Sri Lanka. It acts as a harmonious gathering place, bringing together like-minded individuals and their remarkable teams who work to unravel the mysteries of primates and protect their precious habitats. It is a group where ideas can be exchanged and collaborations can flourish to provide support for any national issue or activity that will help conserve primates and reduce human-monkey conflict. The society’s members delve deep into varied aspects of primate research that extend beyond the behaviour and ecology of these fascinating animals and conservation of their habitats, to community participation for habitat conservation, and garbage management. The members of the society strive to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the diverse array of primate species that call Sri Lanka home, and build a younger generation of local primatologists who will study these primates in their Sri Lankan habitats. The Primatological Society of Sri Lanka aims to embody the indomitable spirit of individuals united by a common cause to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of primate research and conservation in Sri Lanka. With an unwavering commitment to preserve and safeguard primate habitats, the Society stands as an advocate for primate and habitat conservation and for ethical and authentic primate research.
Vision & Objectives
Vision
We are working towards a future where the conservation and welfare of primates in Sri Lanka and around the world are ensured through capacity building, awareness creation, ethical research, and policy formulation
Our Objectives
a.
To promote non-commercial research, education and awareness on, and conservation of, primates in the country that is of value nationally and internationally
b.
To popularize primate studies and conservation among the younger generation by targeting schools and universities
c.
To promote ethically correct primate related post graduate studies
d.
To address any issues that become important nationally and globally to promote primate related studies and conservation in Sri Lanka
e.
To provide advice on matters relating to primate conservation and welfare in the country
f.
To provide support to relevant state agencies to resolve and/or mitigate human-primate conflict in Sri Lanka
g.
To support, assist and collaborate with activities of the Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, National Zoological Gardens or other state, semi-state, and non-state agencies that manage primate habitats
h.
To promote ethics and integrity concerning primate related publications, other communication media, and field research in Sri Lanka
Meet the PSSL Committee and Advisors
The society is registered with the Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka (Reg. no. 6/6/17/3/54). The registered office is 45, Gunatilaka Mawatha, Etambagoda, Panadura, Sri Lanka. All PSSL committee members and scientific advisor are actively carrying out field projects at different sites in the country. and have long years of expertise not only on primates but in many other conservation fields. See below for the individual expertise of our Committee and Advisors.
Dr Jinie Dela
President
Her journey on primate conservation and research began when she commenced her pioneering doctoral work in 1985 on the.
Dr Jinie Dela
President of Primatalogical Society of Sri Lanka
Dr Jinie Dela is the present President of the Primatological Society of Sri Lanka. She has long-term expertise on primate conservation and research since she commenced her pioneering doctoral work in 1985 on the behaviour and ecology of the Critically Endangered western purple-faced langur of Sir Lanka. She is now working on a self-sustaining field project to conserve the WPFL and its habitats (jointly with the Forest Department, colleagues and community) through novel approaches to manage fragmented small forests by forming ecological networks within larger landscapes. She was advisor for the initiative of the National Man and the Biosphere Committee of Sri Lanka to prepare a framework to address monkey–human conflict in the country. Dr Dela brings to her primate work her long-term professional expertise in biodiversity conservation, World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves, climate change, species red listing, policy planning, strategic communication planning, preparation of landscape management plans and nature-based tourism plans. She was Team Leader for preparation of the 2030 National Biodiversity Targets for Sri Lanka. Her professional work spans the National Science Foundation (NSF) and IUCN Sri Lanka, and later as a freelance consultant and volunteer in the varied roles of technical expert, educator, teacher, consultant, and communicator, both nationally and internationally. She was a visiting academic at the Open University of Sri Lanka, and the Universities of Peradeniya and Moratuwa. She is a member of the Sri Lanka National Experts Committee on Biological Diversity and Secretary of the National Man and the Biosphere Committee hosted by NSF-SL. She plays the piano and loves reading, cooking, interior decorating and watching classical ballet.
Dr Saman Gamage
Vice President
Dr Jinie Dela is the present President of the Primatological Society of Sri Lanka.
Dr Saman Gamage
Vice President
He obtained his B.Sc in Biological Sciences in 1981 and an M.Sc in Environmental Sciences in 1984 from the University of Colombo, and later a D.Sc in Wildlife Biology from the Tohoku University, Japan in 1993. After returning, he worked for the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and was responsible for planning and helping to declare many national parks that are present in the Mahaweli region today. He then worked as faunal expert for the National Conservation Review of forests in Sri Lanka, before joining the Open University of Sri Lanka in 1995 where he worked until his retirement in 2020. He functioned as a Senior Lecturer in Zoology in the Faculty of Natural Sciences with long-years of experience of teaching biodiversity, eco-tourism, Protected Area and Environmental Policy Planning, and Natural Resources Management amongst others. He was a key player in commencing the OUSL post–graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies for officers of the CEA in 2001, which has now evolved into a full-scale post graduate MSc, benefitting many students. He has also supervised research of >100 students at B.Sc. M.Sc and PhD levels at the OU, building up professionals in wildlife and environment for the future. This includes supervising post graduate work on the loris and the western purple-faced langur of Sri Lanka, He now works as a visiting academic and freelance environmental consultant in varied wildlife conservation and management allied field. He is also an advisor to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resource Conservation.
Prof. Charmalie Nahallage
Secretary She is the Secretary of the PSSL and a Professor in Anthropology at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Prof. Charmalie Nahallage
Secretary of Primatalogical Society of Sri Lanka
Prof. Charmalie A.D. Nahallage is a leading Sri Lankan primatologist and Professor of Anthropology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Her research bridges primate cultural behaviors, fossil studies, and ethnoprimatology, with field experience across Sri Lanka, Japan, India, and Indonesia. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on stone handling in macaques, advancing understanding of cultural traditions and behavioral transmission in non-human primates. She holds an M.Sc. and D.Sc. from Kyoto University and served as adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, India. She has received prestigious awards, including the Mombukagakusho Award, Commonwealth Fellowship. She has published widely on primate behavior and human-primate interactions, contributing to conservation-focused research in South Asia.Her current work includes countrywide primate surveys in Sri Lanka, studies on fossil primate bones from prehistoric sites, and bio-cultural research with the Ceylon Kaffir community. As Directress of the Multidisciplinary Research Centre at her university, she actively fosters research capacity and promotes conservation-oriented science, mentoring the next generation of researchers. Prof. Nahallage’s interest in exploring primate culture and its conservation relevance continues to inspire students and researchers globally, making her a respected voice in Asian primatology.
Dr Rajnish Vandercone
Treasurer
He obtained his PhD in primate behavior, ecology and evolution from Washington University in St Louis, Missouri USA.
Dr U.K.G.K. Padmalal
Committee Member
He obtained his B.Sc in Biological Sciences in 1981 and an M.Sc in Environmental Sciences in 1984 from the University of Colombo, and later a D.Sc in Wildlife Biology from the Tohoku University
Dr U.K.G.K. Padmalal
Committee Member
Dr Padmalal graduated from the University of Colombo with a B Sc in Biological Sciences in 1981, followed by an M.Sc in Environmental Sciences in 1984 and a D.Sc in Wildlife Biology from the Tohoku University, Japan in 1993. He worked for the Department of Wildlife Conservation in varied capacities, including planning and helping to declare many national parks present in the Mahaweli region today. He was the faunal expert for the National Conservation Review of Forests in Sri Lanka for over a year, before joining the Open University of Sri Lanka in 1995. Here he was a Senior Lecturer in Zoology in the Faculty of Natural Sciences until his retirement in 2020, but is continuing as a visiting academic in several universities. He lectures on biodiversity, eco-tourism, Protected Area and Environmental Policy Planning, and Natural Resources Management, and is a freelance consultant in these fields. He was the key player in commencing the post–graduate Diploma in Environmental studies at the OU for officers of the CEA in 2001 as Course Team Chair and Head Environmental Studies Department. This is now a full-scale post graduate M. Sc. He also initiated the course on Environmental Policy planning at the OUSL. He has participated in research and supervised more than a 100 research students at B.Sc., M.Sc and PhD levels. This includes supervising students on primate behaviour and ecology. He is collaborating with Dr Dela on the Project for conservation of the Western Purple-faced Langur at Indikada Mukalana Waga, as Co-investigator.
Mr Madura de Silva
Committee Member
Dr W.P.J. Dittus
Scientific Advisor
Dr W.P.J. Dittus
Scientific Advisor
Through the Smithsonian Primate Biology Program (Sri Lanka) he aims to advance scientific knowledge for better understanding of the evolution of primate society and man’s place in nature, as well as for conserving wildlife. It provides insights of the many-sided nature of primate adaptations and the environmental context in which they evolved. The studies involve many collaborators from different disciplines, and have been ongoing continuously for over 54 years at a site of natural dry evergreen forest, the Polonnaruwa Nature Sanctuary and Archaeological Reserve, in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Studies span the four sympatric primates there: Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica), Gray Langur (Semnopithecus priam), Purple-faced Langur (S. vetulus), and Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus); and these species’ demography (births, deaths, emigrations) in relation to social behavior, ecology, environment, and other facets of life are monitored. Published topics include behavioral ecology, growth and development, morphology, population genetics, paternity, social behavior, vocal communication, forest ecology, epidemiology, physiology, and conservation among others. New scientific discoveries feature in publications, and outreach educational programs to local schools and institutions. More than 40 documentary films based on the studies reach global audiences and includes the movie theater film “Monkey Kingdom” (produced with Disney Nature), as well many TV productions on the BBC, Discovery, Animal Planet, Smithsonian Channel, Rupavahini, and others. To promote the programmer’s aims, Dr Dittus and colleagues have established a non-profit company, the Association for the Conservation of Primate Diversity. See details of research program, publications and media outputs on the website www.primates.lk.
Mr Ravi Algama
Legal Advisor
Mr Ravi Algama is our Legal Advisor. He is a civil lawyer in private practice from 1982 and has specialised in environment related laws.
Mr Ravi Algama
Legal Advisor
Mr Ravi Algama is our Legal Advisor. He is a civil lawyer in private practice from 1982 and has specialised in environment related laws. As a member of the National Man and the Biosphere Committee he is well versed on legal requirements for UNESCO biosphere reserves, was part of the Committee’s work on addressing human-monkey conflict. In 1981, he co-founded Sri Lanka’s first (and only, as at then) public interest law firm Environmental Foundation Ltd. He is a keen environmentalist who loves wildlife viewing and camping with his family.
Our Sites
Our members are working at different sites on various primate species in Sri Lanka.
Click the buttons above to learn more about the work done by them on primates in the country.
