Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala

Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala has established herself as a leading expert in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management through her extensive career with IUCN. After earning her Biology degree from the University of Colombo, MA in Biology from Smith College, and PhD in Wildlife and Range Sciences from the University of Florida, she has dedicated nearly three decades to environmental conservation and education. As a long-term consultant with IUCN, she works across multiple offices including headquarters, Washington DC, and Sri Lanka, specializing in integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into ecosystem management. Her expertise spans technical writing, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, with particular strength in translating complex scientific concepts for non-specialists. She serves on IUCN's Commission on Ecosystem Management and Commission on Education and Communication, while maintaining roles as a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Colombo and Sri Jayewardenepura. Her significant contributions include numerous publications ranging from scientific papers to illustrated books for laypersons, demonstrating her unique ability to bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding of environmental issues. Currently, she focuses on nature-based solutions for climate change, working to protect ecosystems while promoting sustainable development and human well-being.