Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Responsibility
View all(28)CSE Completes 4,000-Tree Reforestation Project in Rajawaka Forest 🌲
• The Initiative: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the second stage of its "Celebrate 40 years with 4,000 Trees" CSR project in collaboration with "Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka." The final phase began with planting 200 saplings in the Rajawaka rainforest, wrapping up the 4,000-tree target launched last November. • Environmental Context: The project aligns with the national WANAROPA program and the global 'Bonn Challenge,' which aims to restore 200,000 hectares of degraded forest land in Sri Lanka. The Rajawaka rainforest spans wet and intermediate zones, critical for biodiversity, carbon absorption, and water security. • Sustainability & Finance: Beyond conservation, CSE highlighted its broader push for sustainable finance. Key developments include: • Mandating SLFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards for the top 100 listed companies (by market cap) starting financial year 2025. • Expanding the regulatory framework for Green, Social, Sustainability, and Sustainability-Linked (GSS+) bonds. • Between 2024 and 2026, listed companies issued 11 such debentures (including Green and Blue bonds), raising over Rs. 82 Bn.
⚠️ Drinking Water Restoration Efforts for Cyclone-Affected Communities Delayed
Due to a temporary technical issue, the detailed data and specific breakdown regarding the relief efforts for cyclone-affected communities are currently unavailable. • Status Update: The primary source content from Daily FT reported a 503 Service Unavailable error during retrieval, meaning the full figures and organizational involvement remain unconfirmed at this time. • Economic Context: These restoration initiatives typically involve critical local infrastructure recovery, public health support, and community rehabilitation, which are vital for maintaining provincial labor productivity and regional economic stability. _Note: This summary is based on provisional technical data. A complete update will be provided once the source connection is fully restored._
🌱 SLT-Mobitel advances ESG goals by restoring Cyclone-damaged schools
• Project Overview: Under its education pillar, SLT-Mobitel successfully restored Morakewa Vidyalaya and Thuruvila Primary School in Anuradhapura, which were severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. • Impact & Timeline: The facilities officially reopened in February, directly enabling hundreds of students and teachers to return to safe, secure, and supportive academic settings. • National Context: The initiative aligns with national recovery efforts, targeting community resilience and digital inclusion by transforming vulnerable infrastructure into stable learning environments. • Partnerships: The project was executed in collaboration with Northern Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, demonstrating effective public-private partnerships under ESG guidelines.
SL Invites Global Investment for Green Hydrogen & Ammonia 📈
The Ministry of Energy and the BOI have launched a Request for Information (RFI) to attract domestic and international developers for large-scale green energy projects. This move aligns with the National Hydrogen Roadmap to position Sri Lanka as a regional export hub. • Strategic Targets The government aims for 70% renewable energy by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. A key goal is generating US$ 1.0 Bn in annual export revenue from the green energy value chain by 2030. • Project Scope The RFI seeks concepts for the full value chain, including: Production facilities (utilizing offshore wind and solar). Storage & export terminals for shipping and heavy industry. Manufacturing of green hydrogen components. • Investment & Incentives Qualified projects may receive BOI facilitation, including fiscal incentives and regulatory streamlining. The initiative targets decarbonizing sectors like fertilizer production, shipping, and steel manufacturing. • Key Timeline RFI Period: Opened 23 April 2026 – Closing 5 June 2026 (3:00 PM). Submission: Electronic or physical to BOI/Energy Ministry. _Note: This RFI is non-binding and intended to gauge market appetite for future structured partnerships._
Sri Lankan Youth Leader Represents Commonwealth at UN ECOSOC Forum 2026 📈
• Event Overview: Fathima Haneekah Rahil, Global Coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), represented Sri Lanka at the 2026 UN ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York (April 14–16). • Strategic Engagement: Participated in high-level discussions under the theme “Innovate, Unite and Transform,” focusing on sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. She served as a featured speaker at the “From Promise to Progress” side event, co-organized by UNESCO and the governments of Ghana and Sierra Leone. • Global Governance & Leadership: • Represented Rotary International in discussions with UN representatives, leveraging her role as International Service Chair for the Rotary Club of Colombo North. • Currently serves as Co-Chair for Programs and Partnerships for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. • Economic Context: This representation underscores the rising influence of Sri Lankan professionals in the ICT/BPM and global governance sectors, emphasizing the role of youth in driving inclusive development and international partnerships. • Status: Based on official event reports as of May 2026.
EDB and Janathakshan GTE Ltd. Partner to Boost Eco-Friendly Exports 📈
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) signed an MoU with Janathakshan GTE Ltd. to mainstream biodiversity and sustainable land management within the agri-export sector under the GEF-07 Project. • Strategic Focus: The partnership targets the Wet Zone districts of Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya to enhance climate-resilient livelihoods and export readiness. • Key Sectors: Collaboration will focus on value addition and quality improvement for: • Organic and Artisanal Tea • Kithul Products (Pursuing GI certification) • Pepper and Pepper Oil (Pursuing GI certification) • Arecanut & Kolapath eco-friendly tableware • Cardamom and Jackfruit • Market Expansion: Aims to facilitate market linkages and intelligence for smallholder producers targeting high-value destinations including Japan, the European Union, and the USA. • Key Objectives: • Establishing cluster-level certification frameworks. • Improving hygienic production and compliance with international export standards. • Strengthening agroforestry and tea value chains to foster inclusive economic growth.
📈 CA Sri Lanka to Host Inaugural Sustainability Summit 2026
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has announced its first-ever Sustainability Summit, scheduled for 26 May 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The event marks a pivotal shift toward accountability and green finance in the national corporate landscape. • Strategic Shift: CA Sri Lanka has formally adopted the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (S1 and S2), setting a global baseline for climate-related reporting. This move aims to ensure Sri Lankan businesses remain competitive in attracting global capital and navigating stricter regulations. • Sector Impact: The summit emphasizes that protecting natural capital is vital for core industries like tea and tourism. Resilience against climate shocks and supply chain disruptions is now categorized as a "professional imperative" for the accounting & finance sector. • Key Focus Areas: • Implementation of ISSA 5000 for sustainability assurance. • Mobilizing green bonds and foreign direct investment (FDI). • Transitioning accountants from "financial gatekeepers" to "guardians of planetary trust." • Participation: The event will feature leaders from the UNDP, Colombo Stock Exchange, and major conglomerates including John Keells Holdings, Aitken Spence, and Hayleys. _Note: Summary based on official event announcement and CA Sri Lanka presidential statements._
Colombo Wetlands Strategy: Cultural Heritage as a Conservation Tool 📈
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has launched a new two-year initiative, "Rewriting Colombo’s Wetlands," to safeguard the city’s environmental assets through storytelling and cultural identity. • Overall Impact & Risk: Colombo’s wetlands have seen a 40% reduction in water storage capacity since 2001 due to urban development. Although they cover only 15% of the city, they retain 39% of floodwater during storms, protecting 2.3 million residents. • Project Scope: The project (2026–2028) is funded by the British Academy and partners IWMI with the University of Hull (UK) and the University of Kelaniya. It transitions from traditional science-based conservation to a humanities-led approach. • Strategic Focus: • Community Stewardship: Engaging multi-faith and multi-ethnic communities as active custodians through oral histories, art, and heritage mapping. • Urban Resilience: Leveraging wetlands as vital "green infrastructure" that is more cost-effective than artificial flood-control systems. • Knowledge Integration: Collaborating with the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR) to incorporate ancient knowledge systems into modern wetland management. • Key Objective: To shift public perception from viewing wetlands as "wastelands" to essential urban assets, creating a transferable model for sustainable development across South Asian "wetland cities."
📈 Climate Change Threatens Sri Lankan Tea Quality & Flavor
A new report from Christian Aid warns that rising global temperatures and erratic weather are jeopardizing the flavor profiles and yields of the global tea industry, with significant implications for major producers like Sri Lanka. • Impact on Flavor & Quality Rising temperatures increase astringent compounds while reducing sweetness. This shift, combined with erratic rainfall diluting key polyphenols and amino acids, results in a more bitter, harsh, and inconsistent taste for the consumer. • Production Challenges Tea plants require a narrow temperature range (13°C to 30°C). Extreme weather, including droughts and floods, is currently leading to lower yields and unreliable supplies. Smallholder farmers are identified as the most vulnerable group. • Economic Pressures Beyond climate factors, producers are facing rising costs for fertilizer and fuel linked to regional conflicts. These supply disruptions and harvest failures are expected to cause price spikes for the end consumer. • Proposed Solutions Experts call for urgent adaptation measures, including: Developing climate-resilient tea varieties. Implementing improved irrigation and shade-tree planting. Ensuring fair pricing and adaptation funding for workers to protect employment in the sector. _Note: Summary based on latest Christian Aid report and meteorological data._
📈 RTS Holdings Achieves Zero Carbon tea Manufacturing Certification
RTS Holdings has set a new sustainability benchmark in the tea sector, with its Hidellana and Avissawella tea factories receiving the 'Zero Carbon Manufacturing Certification' from the Sustainable Future Group. • Emission Reduction: The certification recognizes a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, verified under ISO 14064-1 and WBCSD/WRI GHG Protocols. • Carbon Offsetting: The company successfully offset 1,020 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). • Green Energy: Credits were sourced via a certified hydropower project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), alongside internal energy optimizations. • Market Impact: This move strengthens the competitiveness of Ceylon tea in premium, environmentally conscious markets such as Europe and North America. • Strategic Context: As a pioneer in zero-carbon production, RTS Holdings aligns its plantation operations with global ESG standards, enhancing Sri Lanka’s reputation for sustainable agriculture. _Note: Summary based on official certification announcement (May 2026)._
EU Supports Net Zero Roadmap for Sri Lanka's Apparel Sector 🌿
The European Union (EU) has launched a nationally significant initiative under the Accelerating Industries’ Climate Response in Sri Lanka (AICRSL) project to develop a Net Zero Roadmap for the textile and apparel industry. • Sector Significance & Economic Impact The apparel & textiles sector remains a cornerstone of the economy, accounting for 40.7% of merchandise exports. In 2025, the industry generated over US$ 5 Bn in export earnings and provided direct employment to approximately 350,000 people. • Market Relations & EU Trade The EU is a critical partner, absorbing 31.3% of Sri Lanka's textile and apparel exports in 2025. With tightening global sustainability regulations, this roadmap is essential for maintaining market access and ensuring long-term competitiveness. • Project Scope & Funding The EUR 7.56 Mn initiative is funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The roadmap will utilize baseline assessments and decarbonization pathways to align the industry with international climate standards. • Strategic Objectives The roadmap aims to translate national climate policies into concrete actions, focusing on emission reduction and energy efficiency to build a resilient, low-carbon supply chain.
📈 "SHE MATTERS" Campaign Targets Gender Gap in Sri Lanka Tourism
The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, in partnership with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF), has launched a national campaign to address structural barriers and increase female participation within the tourism & hospitality sector. • Key Focus Areas: The initiative highlights narratives from the North, East, Central Highlands, Deep South, and Colombo to tackle social stigma, limited formal training, and the lack of female leadership. • Economic Impact & Workforce: A 2024 MDF study identified significant gaps in recruitment and retention of women. Industry leaders emphasize that expanding female participation is a "competitive necessity" to improve productivity and ensure resilient growth as the visitor economy expands. • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with the Advocata Institute, the campaign utilized a podcast series to reach policymakers and thought leaders, moving the conversation from the "industry floor to the policy table." • Future Outlook: The next phase will transition from awareness to "concrete action," focusing on improving access to technical skills and establishing clear career pathways for women to strengthen the national workforce.