Step 1 — Submit Your Application
Apply online through our official CES Internship Portal.
Open Application Portal
Reopening: 1st November 2025
CES Volunteer Internship Program
Applications open year-round — start dates are flexible based on seat availability.
Click To ApplyAbout the CES Volunteer Internship Programme
The Centre for Eco-Cultural Studies (CES) invites dedicated students, graduates, and career professionals from around the world to participate in its Volunteer Internship Programme (CES VI Programme) — an immersive learning experience designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and applied field practice in wildlife conservation, cultural heritage research, community development, and eco-tourism.
This intensive, field-oriented programme enables participants to explore the intricate relationship between people, culture, and nature across Sri Lanka’s most ecologically diverse and culturally significant regions. Interns are based at CES’s two principal field stations: within the ancient landscapes of the Sigiriya World Heritage Site and Wildlife Sanctuary, and along the wild frontiers of Yala National Park Block IV.
Working under the mentorship of CES researchers, conservationists, and community specialists, interns contribute to a broad range of ongoing initiatives, including elephant conservation, biodiversity documentation, GIS and drone-based mapping, environmental education, and community-centred sustainable development.
Field Bases
Sigiriya Field Base – Central Sri Lanka
Surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, Sigiriya offers opportunities to engage in wildlife observation, biodiversity documentation, and heritage-related studies.
Sella Katharagama – Southern Sri Lanka
Bordering Yala National Park, this field base focuses on elephant conservation, community outreach, and ecosystem monitoring in the island’s southern dry zone.
Disciplinary Areas
1. Wildlife Conservation & Heritage Management
Explore the intersection of biodiversity and heritage protection. Interns assist with field monitoring of elephants and other wildlife, contribute to species documentation, and learn how ecological conservation is linked to the preservation of Sri Lanka’s cultural landscapes.
2. Conservation Biology
Gain insight into the science behind protecting species and ecosystems. Interns participate in biodiversity surveys, species identification, and ecological data collection to understand population dynamics and conservation planning.
3. Ecology & Environmental Studies
Study the relationships between living organisms and their natural environments. This discipline focuses on wetland ecology, forest ecosystems, and human–wildlife interactions, combining field research with applied environmental management.
4. Archaeology & Anthropology
Discover Sri Lanka’s ancient civilizations and living cultures. Interns work alongside heritage researchers and local communities in archaeological documentation, site surveys, and ethnographic studies within heritage zones such as Sigiriya and the Dry Zone Cultural Triangle.
5. Wildlife Photography & Filming
Develop professional skills in documenting nature through the lens. Interns receive guided field practice in camera techniques, composition, and ethical wildlife storytelling, with opportunities to contribute to CES media and Nature TV Sri Lanka productions.
6. GIS Mapping & Drone Applications
Learn how geospatial technologies are transforming environmental research. Interns use drones, GPS, and GIS tools to map habitats, monitor landscape changes, and support conservation planning through spatial analysis and digital mapping.
7. Environmental Education
Join CES’s outreach initiatives to raise awareness among local communities and schools. Interns help design and conduct educational activities on wildlife protection, sustainable living, and environmental stewardship.
8. Eco-Cultural Tourism & Development Studies
Understand the role of sustainable tourism in conservation and community development. Interns participate in developing eco-friendly experiences, visitor interpretation materials, and socio-economic studies supporting local livelihoods.
9. Language Teaching
Support CES’s cross-cultural engagement by teaching English or other foreign languages to local students, community members, and field staff. This discipline encourages cultural exchange and strengthens communication within conservation and education initiatives.
Who Can Apply
- Undergraduate and graduate students seeking practical, field-based learning experience.
- Professionals and early-career researchers aiming for hands-on exposure in conservation, eco-tourism, or community development.
- Individuals with a passion for wildlife, nature, heritage, and sustainable living.
No prior field experience is required, but participants must have a genuine interest in conservation and a willingness to work in dynamic, outdoor environments.
Learning Experience
- Participate in real conservation and research activities led by CES experts.
- Gain practical exposure to GIS, drone mapping, and biodiversity monitoring.
- Engage with rural communities through education and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
- Contribute to long-term conservation goals in collaboration with Sri Lankan institutions.
How to Apply
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Step 2 — Prepare Your Documents
Please attach the following when applying:
- 🖋️ A short statement of interest (why you wish to join CES)
- 📄 Your latest CV or résumé
- 📑 Reference letter(s) — optional
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Step 3 — Await Confirmation
Applications are accepted year-round. Placement confirmation depends on seat availability for your preferred period.
📱 Contact Us (WhatsApp)
For inquiries or to submit supporting documents, contact: