Kamanthi Wickramasinghe Wins Gold for Environmental Reporting at Presidential Environment Awards

The award recognises her contribution to environmental journalism, a field that plays a vital role in investigating ecological concerns and holding authorities accountable.

A Milestone in Environmental Journalism

Sri Lankan journalist Kamanthi Wickramasinghe has won the Gold Award for Environmental Reporting at the Presidential Environment Awards, marking a significant milestone in her journalism career.

The recognition celebrates her work in environmental journalism, an area that extends beyond reporting on conservation and ecological concerns to examining the decisions, policies and actions that affect the country's natural environment.

For Wickramasinghe, the award represents both a professional achievement and an acknowledgement of the collaborative effort behind environmental reporting. Reflecting on the honour, she emphasised that environmental journalism requires thorough investigation and a commitment to accountability, particularly when examining the role of state institutions and other stakeholders.

Reporting Beyond the Headlines

Environmental reporting has become an increasingly important part of public-interest journalism, bringing attention to issues that affect ecosystems, communities and the country's long-term sustainability.

From conservation challenges to the implementation of environmental policies, the field requires journalists to investigate complex issues, verify information and examine the wider implications of decisions affecting the environment.

Wickramasinghe believes environmental journalism must go beyond presenting a story. It requires persistent inquiry, evidence-based reporting and the willingness to question those responsible for protecting natural resources.

Such work can involve examining official decisions, following up on environmental concerns and bringing information into the public domain that might otherwise remain overlooked. By connecting environmental issues with governance and accountability, journalists can contribute to informed public discussion and greater awareness of conservation challenges.

The Gold Award recognises Wickramasinghe's contribution to this important area of reporting and highlights the role of journalism in bringing environmental concerns into sharper public focus.

The People Behind the Stories

Acknowledging the award, Wickramasinghe expressed gratitude to the network of people who have supported her work throughout her career.

She recognised the contributions of sources, provincial correspondents, field contacts, researchers, conservationists, environmentalists and others who have helped bring her stories to life.

Environmental reporting often depends on information gathered beyond the newsroom. Local correspondents and field contacts can help identify emerging concerns, while researchers and conservation specialists provide the knowledge needed to understand scientific findings and environmental developments.

Sources also play a crucial role in helping journalists uncover information, verify claims and examine issues from different perspectives. Their contributions, combined with careful investigation and editorial scrutiny, can help transform complex environmental concerns into reporting that audiences can understand.

Wickramasinghe's acknowledgement of these contributors underscores the collaborative nature of journalism, particularly in a field where access to reliable information and specialist knowledge is essential.

A Recognition with Wider Significance

The Gold Award is a personal milestone for Wickramasinghe, but it also draws attention to the importance of independent, evidence-based environmental reporting in Sri Lanka.

As environmental challenges demand sustained public attention, journalists have an important role in examining developments, questioning decisions and ensuring that significant issues remain part of the national conversation.

For Wickramasinghe, the recognition marks an achievement built on years of work and the support of many contributors. It also reinforces the importance of environmental journalism as a discipline that combines investigation, public service and accountability.