The Faculty of Medicine, situated in Ragama, is not only a center of medical education and research but also a campus rich in natural greenery. As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, the faculty maintains a significant area of forest vegetation within its 35-acre premises.

🌿 Green Infrastructure Highlights:

• Forest-Covered Area: 28,930 m²

• Location: Within the Faculty of Medicine premises, Ragama

• Vegetation Type: Mature forest with native trees and undergrowth

The Department of Plant & Molecular Biology maintains a botanical garden as a vital resource for promoting sustainable development through education, research, and conservation. Spanning approximately 1.5 hectares, the garden is home to a diverse collection of native and exotic plant species, offering opportunities for field experimentation, sustainable plant cultivation, and hands-on learning. 

The Floriculture Research Center of UOK was established in November 2015 at the Henerathgoda Botanical Garden, Gampaha, with funding from the District Development Fund of the Gampaha District Secretariat. This initiative was launched to address key challenges in the country's floriculture industry, identified during consultations with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economic Development, Gampaha District Secretariat, Export Development Board, Department of Botanical Gardens, and other relevant organizations, as well as plant growers. 

The 'Butterfly Garden' is a dedicated and carefully designed space within the outdoor area of the center, aimed at attracting and supporting the breeding of various regional butterfly species. To create a thriving habitat, specific plants that cater to the needs of butterflies were cultivated through a collaborative effort by undergraduate students and the children of the center. 

As a recognized Green University and a key institution in the health sector, the Faculty of Medicine (FOM), University of Kelaniya is committed to addressing food security and nutritional well-being within its community. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger, the faculty is launching a Vegetable Gardening Project aimed at promoting sustainable food practices and community resilience. 

Noxious weeds are plants that are not native and these plants have an advantage because the insects, diseases, and animals that would normally control them are not found here. Because these plants have developed specialized mechanisms to survive, they are able to spread at an alarming rate.  (Weeds, 2015) 

The removal of the noxious weed, Sphagnaticola trilobata (earlier named as Wedelia trilobata) from the university premises has done as an initial step of habitat management of the University premises. S. trilobata popularly known as kaha karabu, is one of the world’s 100 worst noxious weeds. This plant was introduced to Asia from the tropical parts of Central and South America. The aggressive growth habit, tolerance to environmental stresses, and the ability to synthesize allelochemicals have contributed to the ability of S. trilobata to rapidly invade and cause significant damage to natural ecosystems. It was first introduced to Sri Lanka as a cover crop in tea plantations in early 1980s from India as the plant has the ability to control soil erosion.

1. trilobata was introduced to the University of Kelaniya as an ornamental plant. Both fresh and dry plant parts of S. trilobata have an allelopathic effect on seed germination and it has an anti-annelid effect on earthworms (Pheretima spp.). The GPC with the support of the university staff and undergraduates expect to remove all noxious plant species found in the university premises as a part of its programme to achieve environmental sustainability.

Bibliography

Weeds. (2015). Retrieved from Weed Management Association Colorado: http://www.cwma.org/weeds.html