On 22 August 2026, the Bandaragama Miyawaki Garden at the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL) welcomed a team from Dilmah Conservation, together with 30 volunteers, as part of the Grey2Green initiative.

The visit provided an opportunity for the volunteers to engage directly with the Miyawaki garden and learn about urban greening, biodiversity conservation, and the importance of creating thriving green spaces within communities.

The programme was facilitated by Mr. Hasanka Padukka, Co-Founder of Thuru, who shared practical insights on the development and maintenance of Miyawaki forests and the role of native vegetation in restoring urban ecosystems.

The programme was further enriched by the participation of Mr. Prasad Tharanga, a resource person and official at Dilmah Conservation. Mr. Tharanga coordinates educational field visits and manages the organisation’s urban arboretum and butterfly garden. He also facilitates programmes on bee rearing and entomological techniques, bringing valuable practical knowledge on biodiversity, pollinators, and ecological conservation to the programme.

From Grey Spaces to Green Pockets

The Grey2Green initiative, implemented by Dilmah Conservation in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, focuses on transforming neglected and underutilised urban spaces into vibrant green pockets. The initiative promotes urban biodiversity while encouraging communities and organisations to take collective action towards creating healthier and mor e sustainable environments.

The visit to the SIHL Miyawaki Garden reflected these objectives by providing volunteers with a practical opportunity to experience how small urban spaces can be transformed into biodiverse ecosystems. Such initiatives demonstrate the potential of nature-based solutions to contribute to environmental sustainability while creating spaces for learning, community engagement, and connection with nature.

SIHL is pleased to support initiatives that promote environmental awareness, biodiversity, and sustainable community development. The visit also highlighted the value of partnerships between educational institutions, conservation organisations, and community-based initiatives in advancing practical environmental action.

Through continued collaboration and learning, spaces such as the Bandaragama Miyawaki Garden can serve not only as green pockets, but also as living classrooms that inspire individuals and communities to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.