Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Responsibility
View all(39)📈 Spa Ceylon Launches ‘Her Business Matters’ to Boost Women-Led SMEs
Spa Ceylon has unveiled ‘Her Business Matters,’ a nationwide initiative timed for International Women’s Day 2026 to provide growth support and brand amplification for local female entrepreneurs. • Overall Objective: The program transitions from symbolic celebration to practical economic empowerment, targeting female founders who manufacture or produce locally in Sri Lanka to drive SME growth and employment. • Support Framework: • Brand Amplification: Five selected businesses per week will receive exposure via Spa Ceylon’s marketing channels and influencer networks throughout March 2026. • Capacity Building: Participants will attend workshops in Colombo covering social media, compliance, brand positioning, and scaling. • Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with Simple Books (Finance/Compliance) and RoarAdX (Digital Growth) to provide technical expertise. • Selection Criteria: Applications are open through March via social media. Screening focuses on scalability, product quality, and long-term growth potential. • Economic Context: The initiative builds on the 2025 ‘Act For WIN’ campaign, leveraging Spa Ceylon’s position as a global brand (140+ locations in 30+ countries) to integrate local women-led businesses into the broader retail and wellness ecosystem.
SLASSCOM Women in Tech 2026: Driving Diversity in the Digital Economy 📈
The ICT/BPM sector gears up for the fourth edition of the Women in Tech Conference, scheduled for March 26, 2026, at Shangri-La Colombo. Organized by the SLASSCOM Women Technopreneurs Forum, the event aligns with International Women’s Day to promote inclusive leadership. • Conference Overview: Transitioning into a full-day experience, the event builds on a consistent track record of over 300 participants per edition. • Core Focus: The 2026 theme centers on "future-ready leadership," leveraging AI and emerging technologies as catalysts for inclusion and workplace transformation. • Key Speakers: Featured keynote by Sindhu Gangadharan (MD of SAP Labs India & Nasscom Chairperson), alongside influential local policymakers and technopreneurs. • Economic Context: The initiative aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital economy by enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, which are vital for talent retention and global employer branding. • Strategic Goals: Unlocking innovation through diversity and equipping the workforce with insights into AI-driven transformation and progressive leadership. _Note: Based on official event announcement for March 2026._
Greenpeace Calls for ‘Polluter Pays’ Action Following Cyclone Ditwah 📈
A new report by Greenpeace South Asia highlights the staggering economic and human toll of Cyclone Ditwah, urging for global climate accountability and a national loss and damage framework. • Economic Impact & Damage The World Bank estimates total economic damage at approximately US$ 4.1 Bn. Over 114,000 homes were partially or destroyed; critical infrastructure including roads, railways, and utilities faced extensive disruption. Human cost: More than 600 deaths and 2.3 million people affected by flooding and landslides. • Sectoral Disruptions Agriculture & Fisheries: Rural livelihoods and food security are severely threatened as these key sectors face long-term recovery challenges. Agrarian Debt: Experts warn that disasters exacerbate existing debt burdens for rural communities, calling for grant-based climate financing. • Climate Science & Advocacy Human-driven climate change made Ditwah’s rainfall 28% to 160% more intense. Sri Lanka contributes less than 0.1% of global emissions but bears disproportionate costs, fueling calls for the "Polluter Pays" principle against major carbon emitters. • Policy Recommendations Establishment of an independent Loss and Damage Committee to address both economic and non-economic losses (e.g., cultural and psychological). Advocacy for climate-related debt relief and restructuring to prevent further national financial vulnerability.
UN Report Highlights Persistent Gender Gaps in Sri Lanka 📈
• Overall Legal & Social Landscape The UN identifies 67 discriminatory provisions across 28 laws affecting family, employment, and citizenship. High rates of gender-based violence persist, with 1 in 4 women experiencing intimate partner violence and 90% reporting harassment on public transport. • Economic Participation & Finance The female labour force participation rate stands at 31.6%, significantly trailing the male rate of ~70%. Unpaid care work remains a primary barrier. Additionally, women-led businesses face a massive financing gap estimated at US$ 17 Bn. • Leadership & Representation Despite comprising over 50% of the population, women hold less than 10% of parliamentary seats (22 out of 225). Representation in the Cabinet of Ministers is minimal at 8.7% (2 out of 23 positions). • Digital & Climate Vulnerabilities While 62% of women are digitally literate, only 34.6% possess computer literacy. Women also account for 58% of cybercrime complaints. In agriculture and fisheries, climate-related disasters disproportionately impact women through increased unpaid labor and disrupted maternal health access. • Summary Note Based on UN factsheet data as of March 2026. Closing these gaps requires urgent legal reforms and targeted economic empowerment to realize full gender equality.
IESL Marks World Engineering Day 2026: Focus on Smart Engineering 📈
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) joined global celebrations for World Engineering Day on March 4, 2026, centering on the theme: "Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future through Innovation and Digitalisation." • Key Focus Areas: The initiative emphasizes integrating digitalisation—including AI, Big Data, and Building Information Modelling (BIM)—to enhance national infrastructure planning and operational efficiency. • Strategic Objectives: • Disaster Resilience: Leveraging smart sensors and monitoring for early warning systems against floods and landslides. • Energy & Utilities: Utilizing data-driven management to optimize renewable energy integration and reduce transmission losses. • Urban Development: Applying intelligent tools to manage traffic congestion, waste, and water supply in growing cities. • Economic Impact: The IESL highlights that adopting smart engineering is critical for Sri Lanka’s economic stability, aiming to reduce project cost overruns and delays through digital modeling and innovative local solutions. • Professional Sector: As the apex body for disciplines including civil, electrical, mechanical, and ICT/BPM engineering, IESL is hosting high-level forums to align engineering expertise with national policy and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
LOLC Divi Saviya Honored for Rapid Restoration of 200 Schools Post-Cyclone 📈
The Ministry of Education has officially recognized LOLC Holdings PLC for its "Obai Mamai Ape Ratai" initiative, which successfully restored 200 schools across Sri Lanka in just 45 days following the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. • Rapid Recovery: The project enabled the swift resumption of education for thousands of students by repairing damaged infrastructure in 200 schools and supporting 4,000 displaced families. • Investment & Scale: Phase 03 of the Divi Saviya program involved an investment exceeding Rs. 500 million. This follows previous chapters that invested Rs. 2.5 billion to provide school supplies to 296,000 children (40% of the national student population) during the economic crisis. • Public-Private Synergy: Group CEO Kapila Jayawardena presented the progress to Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, highlighting how private sector mobilization can complement government disaster management. • Future Phase: The upcoming stage of the initiative will focus on the complete "ground-up" rebuilding and furnishing of selected schools that were entirely destroyed by the disaster. • Strategic Impact: Beyond immediate relief, these efforts stabilize the education sector—a critical pillar for long-term human capital and employment—by preventing student drop-outs during national crises.
📈 Knuckles Spring Water Debuts Sri Lanka’s First Tethered Bottle Cap
Innovation & Sustainability • Knuckles Spring Water, a brand under CPC Lanka (subsidiary of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC), has launched the first tethered bottle cap in the Sri Lankan market. • The design ensures the cap remains attached to the bottle after opening, specifically targeting the reduction of small-format plastic litter in landfills and waterways. Environmental Impact • The initiative aims to improve plastic waste management and boost the recyclability of packaging by ensuring the cap is collected alongside the bottle. • This move aligns Sri Lankan packaging standards with international benchmarks, such as the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive. Broader Conservation Efforts • Beyond packaging, the brand has deployed "Ocean Strainers" in Boralesgamuwa and Wanathamulla to intercept waterway plastic. • Current ESG activities include ecosystem awareness boards in the Knuckles mountain range, reforestation programs, and community water aid during flood relief. Strategic Context • The shift reflects a growing trend in the food & beverage sector toward circular economy practices and responsible plastic consumption, essential for long-term environmental resource efficiency in Sri Lanka.
📈 DFCC Bank Lists Sri Lanka’s 1st Blue Bond on NSE IX
DFCC Bank has dually listed its inaugural Blue Bond on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City, India, marking a milestone for sustainable finance in the region. • Issue Details: The bond is valued at LKR 3 billion and was primarily listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). • Cross-Border Collaboration: The listing follows an MoU between NSE IX and the CSE to enhance capital market integration and dual-listing frameworks. • Strategic Focus: Proceeds are dedicated to the marine economy, including sustainable fisheries, aquatic pollution control, and clean drinking water supply. • Historical Context: This follows DFCC’s June 2025 listing of LKR 2.5 billion in green bonds on the same exchange, which focused on renewable energy. • Market Impact: The dual listing aims to diversify the investor base by leveraging GIFT City’s offshore regulatory framework, increasing international visibility for Sri Lankan debt instruments. Based on official exchange disclosures as of February 28, 2026.
### 📈 Sustainability & Global Economic Strategy: Sri Lanka Perspective
A recent high-level address by a former Sri Lankan Ambassador highlights the critical intersection of geo-economics and sustainable development as a pathway for national stability. • Global Economic Context Global GDP reached approximately US$ 118 Tn in 2025. The world spends US$ 2.8 Tn annually on defense—nearly 2.5% of global GDP. In contrast, eliminating global poverty would cost roughly US$ 400 Bn (0.33% of global GDP). • Regional Inequality & Comparisons South Asia’s GDP per capita remains under US$ 2,900, significantly lower than the global average of US$ 14,200. The 10-member ASEAN region averages US$ 6,000 per capita. Wealth inequality is at a historic high; the global Gini-Coefficient reached 68% in 2024. • Strategic Risks for Sri Lanka Data indicates a 15-20% likelihood of internal conflict when a developing nation faces a GDP decline of 4-5% for consecutive years. Sri Lanka’s 2022 crisis is cited as a primary example of this geo-economic vulnerability. • The Sustainability Mandate Achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is viewed as vital for ICT/BPM, education, and human capital development. Investing just 1% of global GDP into SDGs could eliminate most challenges faced by developing nations. The transition from the 4th Industrial Revolution (AI/EVs) to the 5th Industrial Revolution (advanced biotechnology) requires robust multilateral cooperation to ensure smaller nations aren't marginalized.
HNB & David Pieris Solar Partner to Boost Renewable Energy 📈
David Pieris Renewable Energy (DPRE) and Hatton National Bank (HNB) have signed a strategic MoU to provide specialized financing for solar energy adoption across Sri Lanka. • Financial Terms: For the domestic sector, loan values range from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 7,000,000. Commercial & Industrial (C&I) project financing will be structured based on individual requirements. • Repayment: Loans feature a tenure of up to seven years with competitive, flexible interest rates based on the repayment period. • Strategic Impact: The partnership leverages DPRE’s technical expertise and HNB’s banking network to accelerate the transition to sustainable power for households and businesses. • National Goals: This initiative supports Sri Lanka’s target of 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 and achieving carbon net-zero by 2050.
### Noritake Lanka & Regen Renewables Partner for 350 kWh Solar Project 📈
Regen Renewables Ltd has signed a strategic agreement with Noritake Lanka Porcelain Ltd to implement a solar power project at its Pannala manufacturing facility, advancing sustainable industrial growth in Sri Lanka. • Project Scope: Development of a 350 kWh solar power system designed to integrate clean energy into large-scale industrial operations. • Energy Output: Expected to generate approximately 448,680 kWh of clean energy annually. • Environmental Impact: Estimated reduction of 340 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, supporting Sri Lanka’s climate action goals and NDC targets. • Sector Synergy: Combines Regen’s 13+ years of expertise (80 MW installed capacity) with Noritake’s position as a pioneering porcelain tableware manufacturer. • Economic Context: Highlights the role of the renewable energy and manufacturing sectors in driving a low-carbon transition and enhancing industrial sustainability. Based on official partnership announcements. ---
PIM Green Digital Summit 2026: Bridging Sustainability & Tech 📈
The Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) will host the PIM Green Digital Summit 2026 this Thursday, February 26. The forum aims to integrate digital transformation with sustainable business practices to navigate global economic complexities. • Event Focus: A premier platform for business leaders and academics to explore how sustainability and digital tools drive value creation in a low-carbon future. • Strategic Goal: Aligning with PIM’s "Business School for the New World" vision to develop leaders capable of managing disruption through ICT/BPM and green strategies. • Key Stakeholders: PIM has a massive footprint in Sri Lanka’s professional landscape, having produced over 350 CEOs and 30,000+ trained professionals. • Distinguished Speakers: Led by Director Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe and organized by Tharindu Ameresekere. Keynote contributors include: • Dr. Ravi Fernando (Sustainability Specialist) • Channa de Silva (LankaPay CEO) • Sandun Hapugoda (Mastercard Country Manager) • Impact: The summit focuses on practical applications of data and platforms to build digitally enabled organizations, essential for long-term employment and national economic competitiveness.