Sri Lanka’s wetlands have suffered at the hands of development. The Central Environmental Authority hopes to provide planners and decision makers with information regarding the value of wetlands and the implications of wetland exploitation. This manual classifies what wetlands are and goes on to look at the nature of wetlands and what a vulnerable ecosystem they are. It provides the background information necessary for the reader to truly understand the value of wetlands. Sri Lankan wetlands are discussed in this report. The institutional framework and relevant legislation are also conveyed in this booklet. The report goes on to discuss development activities and how they threaten the existence of wetlands. Activities and occupations such as irrigation, landfilling, mangrove clearing, aquaculture farms, siltation, fisheries, mining, livestock grazing and pollution have a drastic impact on wetlands. Each of these actions is discussed and the solution is provided alongside the problems that these activities result in. The reasons for weak or absent conservation measures are also analysed. The National Wetland Strategy for Conservation is presented in this booklet. The various attempts to protect and conserve this eco-system are analysed in keeping with the various activities that take place in and around wetlands. The aim of this manual is to pave the way to environmentally-sound development that will not threaten wetlands.