Sky blue water lily, correct National Flower

Disna MUDALIGE

The sky blue coloured water lily, scientifically known as Nymphaea Nouchali has been identified as the correct National Flower of Sri Lanka, Environment Ministry Biodiversity Secretariat Director Ajith Silva told the Daily News yesterday.

He said that the committee appointed by Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa last August to look into the issue of identification of correct National Flower has reached an agreement in this regard by last Tuesday.

Peradeniya University Botany Department Senior Lecturer Prof Deepthi Yakandawala and Wayamba University Horticulture and Landscape Gardening Department Senior Lecturer Dr Kapila Yakandawala recently brought to the attention of the President the confusion in the identification of the correct National Flower in the country.

Prof Yakandawala pointed out that a violet flowered Nymphaea has been erroneously identified in many scientific and non-scientific literature as Nymphaea Nouchali which is the correct National Flower declared in 1986.

The Professor observed that the pure Nymphaea Nouchali populations are fast shrinking as a result of the rapid spread of the invasive violet flowered Nymphaea and hybrid varieties.

The director stated that presently a team of researchers including Prof Yakandawala has been engaged in a three months study on the issue and the conclusion in this regard would be reached on a consensus of all stakeholders.

He said that once decided, the Cabinet approval would be taken and measures would be taken to correct the pictures in school text books and other documents.