About 965 forest fires have destroyed over 11,123.99 hectares of forest cover, according to official data.
The highest number of forest fires occurred in 2016, with 265 incidents recorded that year, causing the destruction of 2,249.42 hectares. However, the year that saw the greatest extent of land destroyed was 2023, with 2,691.87 hectares burnt in 243 forest fires.
The Badulla District has reported the highest number of forest fires during the aforesaid period. The data also identifies Badulla, Monaragala, and Polonnaruwa as the three districts worst affected by forest fires between 2016 and June 2025.
While the number of fires dropped relatively last year (2024), 45 forest fires have already been reported in the first six months of the current year.
These figures were revealed in a response provided by the Department of Forest Conservation to a Right to Information (RTI) request submitted by the Sri Lanka Press Institute’s investigative team.
By Ranil Dharmasena 