In Sri Lanka nature is considered as sacred heritage. It's a fact as the world's first Wild Life
Centaury was established by King Devanam Piyatissa ( 207 B.C.) honoring
the request made by the Arahath Mahinda Thero (the sun of Great King Dharmashoka who
introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka).
The Arahath Mahinda thero advised the King who was on a deer hunt
when they meet at Ambastala Forest.
"Dear King ..
The animal who live in this land,
the birds fly in the
sky,
and the fish swim in the rivers
have a right to their life like you and me.
As the King, you are not their owner,
but the protector and the ruler"
The King declared the Ambasthala (Currently Mihintale Forest) a wild
life sanctuary and ordered his men and countrymen not to kill any animals
in the forest any more.