First Capital to restore 15 acres of forest in partnership with WNPS-PLANT

Dilshan Wirasekara, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Holdings PLC and Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Chairman of WNPS-PLANT, signing the MoU

First Capital Holdings PLC announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) through its PLANT initiative (Preserving Land and Nature (Guarantee) Limited) to support a large-scale forest restoration initiative in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.

As part of the partnership, First Capital will fund the restoration of approximately 4 kilometres of riverbank area (around 13–15 acres) along the Nanu Oya within the Great Western Estate in Thalawakele. The initiative forms part of PLANT’s ongoing Emerald Trails programme, which aims to create interconnected forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka’s highly biodiverse southwestern region, home to most of the island’s endemic species.

In addition to restoring vital ecosystems, this reforestation effort contributes meaningfully to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Forest restoration plays a critical role in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhancing carbon sequestration, and stabilizing local microclimates.

By replanting native species and rehabilitating degraded land, the project helps reduce greenhouse gas concentrations while protecting vital water sources and soil health. Over time, the newly restored forest corridor along the Nanu Oya will not only become a biodiversity haven but also serve as a natural carbon sink strengthening Sri Lanka’s strength to increasingly erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and ecosystem degradation.

Reaffirming its commitment to responsible value creation, First Capital emphasises science-based conservation over ad-hoc tree planting. The initiative also enables the company to support biodiversity studies and track the species protected through this restoration effort.

Dilshan Wirasekara, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Holdings PLC commented, “At First Capital, we believe that long-term value creation goes beyond financial growth. It extends to nurturing the environments and communities that sustain us. Our partnership with WNPS and PLANT reflects our commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s natural heritage through meaningful, science-based conservation. This project represents our collective responsibility to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and ensure that the next generation inherits a greener planet.”

WNPS Past President Spencer Manualpillai extended his appreciation to the Janashakthi Group and First Capital and mentioned that the Society was proud to partner with companies like First Capital who were having the long-term interest of the nation at heart when pursuing this partnership.

This article first appeared in the Daily Mirror on the 6th pof December 2025.