Green Innovation Blooms in Dumbara: Transform Nature’s Challenge into Eco-Friendly Change…..
Colombo, Sri Lanka —22nd August 2025
Turning Invasive Plants into Opportunity
Implemented under the Ministry of Irrigation’s GCF Knuckles Project, this unique program empowered both school students and out‑of‑school youth across the Knuckles mountain range.
The initiative focused on transforming invasive plants into sustainable paper products, symbolizing how environmental challenges can inspire green entrepreneurship. The event was successfully held at the Nelum Pokuna premises, showcasing innovation, teamwork, and environmental consciousness.
National Exhibition Showcases Student Talent
Coinciding with the 2025 National Evaluation Ceremony of the Industrial Development Board’s (IDB) School Entrepreneurship Club National Programme, over 125 students representing seven schools from the Matale District and one school from the Anuradhapura District presented their eco‑friendly paper creations. Their exhibition not only celebrated environmental innovation but also emphasized the potential of youth‑led sustainability.
Dignitaries Praise Youth Innovation
The event was inaugurated under the patronage of Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industries, and Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister, along with several distinguished guests. They observed the paper production processes and interacted with each school team, learning about the training methods, the use of invasive plants, and the creation of paper‑based stationery and other green products. Both ministers praised the creativity and awareness demonstrated by the participating students and commended the guidance and training provided by the GCF Knuckles Project and the Industrial Development Board.
Empowering Communities for Climate Resilience
The GCF Knuckles Project operates across five districts, including Kandy and Matale, with the aim of enhancing the resilience of agricultural, rural, and plantation communities against the adverse impacts of climate change. The Knuckles mountain region, globally recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s agriculture, irrigation, and tourism industries—contributing significantly to the national economy.
Nurturing Green Mindsets Among Youth
Since 2024, the project has launched multiple awareness and training programmes targeting school students and young people. These activities encourage practical engagement in sustainable livelihoods through field training, demonstrations, and creative workshops. In collaboration with the Industrial Development Board’s School Entrepreneurship Club National Programme, students were trained to produce handmade paper and eco‑products from invasive plants.
A Movement Toward a Greener Sri Lanka
Over 600 students from 12 schools participated in the training activities, learning to create handmade paper and related products. Among them, 100 students from eight schools in Matale and one in Anuradhapura showcased their green creations at a national exhibition held in Colombo with the support of the Industrial Development Board. This initiative, “Dumbara Green Student Creations – 2025”, represents a vital step toward realizing the GCF Knuckles Project’s mission of building a greener, cleaner Sri Lanka.
Distinguished Presence
The event was graced by Ministry of Industries Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Irrigation and National Project Director of the GCF Knuckles Project Chandika V.Ethugala, officials from the Industrial Development Board, project officers, and several institutional representatives.