The Remarkable Return of an endemic Rainforest Tree believed to be extinct in Sri Lanka.

In 2012, Sri Lanka’s Red List declared the towering rainforest tree Doona ovalifolia, known locally as Pini-Beraliya as “extinct in the wild.” The only surviving specimen stood at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, a solitary reminder of a species thought lost forever.

That changed in 2018. A Facebook post in a medicinal plant group sparked an astonishing rediscovery. One of the group members from Ayagama, Ratnapura claimed the tree still grew in his community. Botanists were skeptical, until they saw photos, and eventually flowers gathered by a daring climb, confirmed the find. Soon after, two more wild populations were located, all thriving near rivers and streams.

Recognizing the urgency of safeguarding these fragile populations, Dilmah Conservation launched a recovery initiative to safeguard and restore the species. A specialized rainforest nursery was established, where more than 250 Pini-Beraliya saplings have already been raised. Some of these young trees now grow at a small village school in Ayagama, close to the first rediscovered tree. Students themselves planted and now care for the saplings, transforming conservation into a living classroom.

For ecologists, protecting Pini-Beraliya is about more than saving a single species. Trees like this one are keystones of Sri Lanka’s lowland rainforests, supporting countless other plants and animals. By restoring Pini-Beraliya, conservationists are strengthening entire ecosystems.

The rediscovery has also inspired hope. What began as a chance online encounter has become a story of resilience, collaboration, and community pride. For the children of Ayagama, tending to these rare trees is not just an act of care, but a source of belonging.

From the brink of extinction, Pini-Beraliya’s return is a reminder that nature, when given a chance, and with human hands to help, can find its way back. Learn more about Dilmah Conservation’s restoration efforts here.