NTB WNPS Monthly Lecture
Schedule
Thu, 15 Jan, 2026 at 06:00 pm
UTC+05:30Location
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall | Colombo, CE
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Sexy Reptiles and What We Do with ThemBy Dr Ruchira “Ru” Somaweera
6 pm, 15th January 2026, Jasmine Hall, BMICH
Since the dawn of time, reptiles have had a bad rep. To many, they are seen as slimy, scary, or simply unwanted. Yet across the world, reptiles play vital ecological, economic, medical, intrinsic, and cultural roles in human societies. Despite this, many reptile species are threatened, and conflicts between people and reptiles continue to grow.
There are more species of reptiles on Earth than mammals and birds combined, yet we know far less about these remarkable animals. Why is that, and what can we do to change it?
From giant crocodiles in Bangladeshi Sundarbans, to cute turtles of the Australian outback; from memorizing Komodo dragons on remote Indonesian islands, to mysterious sea snakes of Lombok’s deep sea, join me on a journey across lands. This talk explores how innovative research programs are transforming our understanding of reptiles, the challenges they face, and how scientific knowledge is being turned into real-world action to conserve them in a rapidly changing world.
Dr Ruchira “Ru” Somaweera is a behavioural ecologist with a strong academic and research background spanning multiple countries. Over the past two decades, Ru has worked across Asia and Australia on applied conservation and ecological research, with a particular focus on reptiles. He is currently the Practice Lead for Ecology and a Principal Scientist at Stantec, one of the world’s leading environmental consulting firms, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University. A National Geographic Explorer, Ru is actively involved in public outreach through mainstream and social media, translating science for broader audiences. Ru is the author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and six books on reptiles, including the definitive field guides to the snakes and lizards of Sri Lanka.
Learn from a Sri Lankan shaping global conservation
This WNPS Monthly Lecture, proudly supported by Nations Trust Bank, is free and open to both members and non-members.
All are welcome
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Where is it happening?
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo, Sri LankaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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