Common Butterflies of Sri Lanka

Message from the Founder Looking back on nearly three decades <strong>of</strong> Dilmah Tea, I am honoured that Dilmah has been able to play a significant role in sharing its success by supporting social and environmental development initiatives across <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>. Dilmah Conservation was established as an affirmation <strong>of</strong> our commitment to protecting nature and the environment and ensuring that we leave behind a better planet for future generations. <strong>Butterflies</strong> have always been a subject <strong>of</strong> great fascination to children and adults alike due to their association with Samanala Kanda or Adam’s Peak which is <strong>of</strong> great spiritual significance to <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>ns <strong>of</strong> all faiths. The spectacle <strong>of</strong> the annual butterfly migration when thousands <strong>of</strong> butterflies fly towards Adam’s Peak in the South-Central Mountains is steeped in folklore and has captivated the <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>n imagination for centuries. However, I have noticed that over the years, even within our home gardens the number <strong>of</strong> butterflies has sadly diminished. Having learnt that this decline has occurred as a result <strong>of</strong> increased urbanization and the interlinked use <strong>of</strong> harmful chemicals, I wished to help create a space for conserving butterflies in the city. We have made great strides in butterfly conservation in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> by founding an urban butterfly garden at the Moratuwa MJF Centre which is home to over 50 types <strong>of</strong> butterflies. I hope that this publication not only inspires a new generation <strong>of</strong> enthusiasts to undertake further study about butterflies and learn more about their intriguing habits, but also motivates readers to minimise the use <strong>of</strong> harmful chemical substances in their gardens so that local butterfly populations might flourish once again. In line with its pledge to sustainability, Dilmah will continue to strengthen its commitment to supporting conservation and accessible environmental and nature education. Merrill J. Fernando Founder – Dilmah Conservation