Sinharaja Forest Reserve is considered one of the most important natural habitats in Sri Lanka. This majestic rainforest was deemed an International Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and deservedly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989. The forest offers a huge diversity of species, both flora and fauna, with a large proportion of those being indigenous to the country and some more specifically endemic to Sinharaja itself.

Many endemic birds such as Layard's parakeet (Psittacula calthripae), the Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetii ), the Spur fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata), the Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Columba torringtonii), the Ceylon Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus), the Ceylon Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), the Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush (Garrulax cinereifrons), the Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillum), the Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus) and the Ceylon Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornate) among others, are prominent in this area.

For countless generations the local people of the Sinharaja have been living sustainably from what the forest provided and today many of the local villagers are continuing to use the forest resources. One of the main resources provided by the forest is jaggery, a crude local sugar product from the Kitul Palm (Caryota urens). Used as a source of income for the local people it has been a traditional ingredient to Sri Lankan people for many years. The production of the sugar is for trading at the local weekly markets.

Another historic village tradition and source of income is the use of rattan and bamboo to manufacture baskets and other woven products. Similarly these products can be sold at local markets.

Food such as fruits, seeds and mushrooms are sourced locally and sustainably from the forest and can be used by villagers or sold at market as are fish and other meats.

Perhaps most importantly the forest provides fuel and, although many species are gathered, there is no doubt a preference for one or two particular species, those being Chaetocarpus castanocarpus and C. coreaceus.

Many other species of plant are utilised sustainably for personal, commercial and medicinal purposes. Tools such as ladders and handles are created from the Keena (Calophyllum) species and local village homes can be constructed from the forest timber.