Our Organizational Structure
Ruk Rakaganno is a largely volunteer based, non-governmental organization that is funded by grants, donations, membership fees and other revenue-generating activities carried out by the organization itself. Its patrons, Ms. Iranganie Serasinghe and Dr. C. R. Panabokke are two founder members who function in an advisory capacity. The other office bearers are elected annually and function in a voluntary capacity. The committee meets once a month and directs the activities of the organization.
There are also subcommittees which include members and which work on specific areas such as the nursery, the arboretum, events field trips, seminars etc) and fund raising. Our staff is made up of:
Mr. Jayantha Amarasinghe Manager, ArboretumMr. Nigel Billimoria Consultant and Senior Manager, Arboretum
Ms. Premila Canagaratna Project Coordinator
Mr. Buddhika Dilhan Research Officer, Arboretum
Ms. Tilaka Fernando Administrative Secretary
Mr. Pubudu Weerarathna Project Officer 5 gardeners/maintenance officers at the Arboretum
Our current membership is 148, the majority of the members being professionals. Many of these members are founders including Mr. Nihal Fernando, Mr. Lyn de Alwis and Ms. Kamini Vitarana. Over the last year we have made a concerted effort to increase the membership and to involve more young members and student members. Thus, of the 47 members enrolled in 2004, 13 are students and the others are between the age of 25 and 40.
The Committee for the year 2005-2006:
President Ms. Nirmala de Mel Managing Director of Quickshaws Tours LtdVice President Mr. Pushpa Amarasekera Retd. Managing Director Delmege Forsythe Shipping.
Secretary Archt. Dr. Shiranee Balasuriya Course Director, Landscape Studies, University of Moratuwa
Asst. Secretary Ms Lilani de Silva
Treasurer Mr. Cyril Mundy Retd. Head, Credit Card Division HSBC, Sri Lanka, Advisor to Credit Card Operations of HSBC Hong Kong, India and the Middle East.
Committee:
Mr. Sumith Abeywickrema
Ms Geetha Miththapala
Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe Head Department of Forestry and Environment, University of Sri Jayawardenapura.
Ms. Faith Ratnayake Librarian, Diocese of Colombo, formerly programme assistant Worldview International Foundation,
Food and Agriculture Organisation, writer.
Ms. Chitra Simiththraaratchy Retd teacher Ladies College Colombo, Coordinator of Women's Environment Programmes.
Ms. Kamini Vitarana Environmental Scientist, Chairperson Environment Committee of SLAAS 1987 1989, former
chairperson National Steering Committee of the Small Grants Programme UNDP.
Dr. Yohan Weerasuriya Manager Puritas Ltd (member of the Hayleys Group of Companies)
LINKS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Government:
Ruk Rakaganno is represented on various government appointed policy forums such as the Committee on Environmental Policy and Management (CEPOM) appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Ruk Rakaganno was represented on the steering committee for the National Forestry Policy and the Forestry Master Plan, and the formulation of the National Biodiversity Plan. These forums are used as a means of lobbying for environmental change and sustainable development. Ruk Rakaganno was active in the campaigns against the proposal to strip mine in Elehara, the Kandalama Hotel, Eppawala Phosphate Mining proposal and the Upper Kotmale Power Project.
International and local NGOs:
Ruk Rakaganno established links with women's groups around the island through the Women's Environmental Centre and projects were conducted with these groups. The organization was a part of the Public Campaign for Environment and Development which prepared an alternative report on the state of Sri Lanka's Environment for the UN conference in 1992. 2 conferences on women and the environment were organized and involved community groups, environmentalists and government representatives.
The Community:
Our main link to the community is through our membership. We organize field trips for our members and their friends as a way of raising awareness and building motivation for the work we do. Recent excursions have included visits to the Peak wilderness, Kanneliya rain forest, Mannar, Hasthikuchchi and the Arboretum, Dambulla.
We conduct seminars and lectures which are open to the public and which we advertise through press releases and e mails. The series for 2005 was launched with a panel discussion on Tsunami: environmental impacts and the way forward headed by Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe.
We communicate with the wider public through articles to the mainstream media on a range of issues. The lobbying and advocacy aspect of our work has been set out as a key area for development. Our publications are also important in this respect and cover all three languages.
Last but certainly not least, when projects are conducted in rural areas where our membership is limited we work with a local community group and thus build up networks in these areas. This is an important means of exchanging of ideas and knowledge.
Funders:
Ruk Rakaganno has gained financial support from a variety of organizations. International NGOs that have worked with Ruk Rakaganno include UNDP, NORAD, SIDA, IUCN and International Dendrology Society of UK. We have also worked with private sector organizations such as the SKAL Club of Colombo (social club of the tourism industry), ODEL Unlimited and Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd.
Students:
One of our main target groups in all our activities is children and students. Throughout the years we have worked with students on a variety of projects and will continue to do so.