"We have experienced frequent forest fires which destroyed over 12,000 acres in six districts", Lal Sarath Kumara, a top disaster management official told reporters.
The fires in forest reserves have mostly come from the central hill districts of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale and Kandy.
While some of these fires have been accidental, arson attacks had also been noted.
Groups who look for land for illicit cultivation projects and wild hunting are suspected.
The 8-member panel would recommend policy changes, an action plan and awareness programmes aimed at preventing forest fires.
The forest department says they have installed fire belts in certain reserves to prevent fires from spreading.
