The winning logo
Picking up the logo, Mr. Samantha Gunasekara said that a national level open competition was conducted to design it, with a competitor from Ampara, A. L. C. Dhanushka, winning it.
In the logo, the five petals of
Caralluma umbellate, symbolises floral species in trade and also represent the five continents. The circle within is Earth. The tag line urges the world’s communities to be vigilant and proactive. The blue of the five petals represents water and the brown and green shades within the globe, represent the earth colours.
The species included in the logo are: Asian elephant: With theAsian elephant being killed for its tusks and hair and in the human elephant conflict, it has been included to encourage both Asian and African countries to give due protection to the elephant.
Indian pangolin: Asintense trade pressures are resulting in the decimation of pangolin species, it has been included to symbolise international cooperation and unity in listing this species in CITES.
Thresher shark: Symbolising the mega marine species in trade, it alsorepresents the shark proposal submitted by Sri Lanka, along with unprecedented global support, for listing at CoP17. This shark is part of a group of globally- threatened marine species and highlights the dedication of Sri Lanka in ensuring that all international trade of sharks and rays is maintained at sustainable levels.
Crimson rose butterfly: As butterflies are traded indiscriminately, this is a reminder that insects are vulnerable due to trade and should be protected with due measures. It symbolises
the avian species in trade. Hump-nosed lizard:
Representing tetrapod reptiles in trade because they are sold as pets or forconsumption, it has been included in the logo to indicate that indiscriminate collection can lead to extinction. It is among the Sri Lankan proposals for CoP18, with hopes of mobilising greater protection for reptiles.
Green pit viper: Endemicto Sri Lanka, it heads the list of snakes caught from the wild and traded internationally as pets, which can lead to the extinction of this threatened species. It represents the serpentine reptilia in trade. Vanda orchid and five petals:
Thishas been included as Sri Lanka is home to over 200 species of orchids and supports their conservation and habitat protection.
Sea horse: Another species in Asia that is exported through several illegal trade routes, sea horses represent the lesser known marine taxa in CITES trade.