Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Responsibility
View all(39)📈 Union Assurance Partners with Ministry of Health for National Autism Awareness Initiative
• Event & Partnership Overview: Union Assurance, a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), partnered with the Ministry of Health and NAMASTE Sri Lanka to host the Autism Awareness Day 2026 event in Colombo. Aligned with the UN theme 'Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,' the initiative aimed to foster inclusive healthcare and social ecosystems. • Key Dialogue & Themes: The event brought together healthcare professionals, educators, and corporate leaders to address neurodiversity from clinical, research, and corporate inclusion perspectives. Major sessions focused on integrating neurodiverse minds into the corporate sector, designing sensory-friendly workspaces, and breaking down social misconceptions. • Corporate Profile & Financial Footprint: Union Assurance is a leading player in Sri Lanka's life insurance sector, critical for national financial protection and social safety nets. As of end-December 2025, the company reported a Market Capitalization of Rs. 45.6 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 92.8 Bn. Supported by an island-wide branch network, the insurer employs a workforce of over 3,000 personnel, directly supporting employment and service delivery across Sri Lanka.
📈 Digital Resource Centres Launched to Modernise Sri Lanka’s Tea Smallholder Sector
The Tea Smallholdings Development Authority (TSDA) officially received new “Regenerative Agriculture Digital Resource Centres” to accelerate the modernisation and sustainability of Sri Lanka's smallholder tea sector. • Key Objectives: The initiative aims to drive a qualitative transformation by equipping smallholders with modern knowledge on regenerative agriculture and sustainable cultivation. It will fast-track the transfer of scientific research from the Tea Research Institute (TRI) directly to farming communities. • Digital Transformation: The centres will leverage digital tools and social media to improve communication with growers, reduce reliance on print media, and establish efficient feedback loops. They will also serve as "Training of Trainers" hubs to build technical capacity. • Strategic Alignment: The project aligns with global shifts toward climate resilience, sustainable farming, and digital supply chains in export-oriented sectors like tea, which is vital for national employment and foreign exchange. • Locations & Backing: Established at the Hanthana Training Centre, the TSDA head office, and the Walahanduwa regional office, the project was launched alongside the 6th Asian Tea Alliance. It received full financial and technical backing from international organisations Solidaridad and the Nucleus Foundation.
🌊 Sampath Bank Hands Over Community-Led Plastic Recovery Facility in Dickwella
• Project Overview: Sampath Bank PLC has officially handed over a fully operational Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Batheegama, Dickwella, under its 'A Breath to the Ocean' initiative. The project transitions from a corporate-led cleanup effort into a community-owned, sustainable model to intercept plastic waste along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. • Partners & Ecosystem: Implemented in partnership with Neptune Recyclers Ltd. and the Sobakantha Foundation, the MRF strengthens the local recycling value chain. It ensures collected plastics are sorted, processed, and reintroduced into the production cycle rather than entering landfills or marine ecosystems. • Socio-Economic Impact: Empowerment: The initiative supports 384 local women, transforming them into environmental stewards and micro-entrepreneurs. Livelihoods: Through structured training and formal integration into the recycling ecosystem, the project provides these women with stable income-generation opportunities, driving inclusive economic growth in the region.
🌿 George Steuart Partners with SLNHS to Promote Sri Lanka’s Ecological Legacy
• Partnership Overview: George Steuart & Company, Sri Lanka’s oldest mercantile establishment (founded 1835), has partnered with the Sri Lanka Natural History Society (SLNHS), established in 1912. The collaboration aims to advance the study, preservation, and public awareness of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and ecosystems. • Key Initiative: George Steuart’s CSR arm, Steuart Senehasa, will officially sponsor the SLNHS Monthly Lecture series starting May 2026. The platform will be renamed “SLNHS Monthly Lecture – Sponsored by George Steuart & Company.” • Scope and Impact: The monthly lectures focus on vital environmental sectors including wildlife, marine ecosystems, environmental conservation, and nature photography. The initiative aligns with a corporate strategy of "Purpose beyond Profit" to educate communities and foster social sensitivity toward environmental safeguarding. • Institutional Context: The collaboration bridges two historical entities to support knowledge sharing, research, and field observation, ensuring the island's natural environment is documented and preserved for future generations.
🤝 OrphanCare Partners with AAA Industries for Orphan Welfare
• Partnership Overview: OrphanCare Trust has partnered with footwear manufacturer AAA Industries Ltd to secure financial contributions based on individual sales from selected shoe brands. • Core Initiative: The funds will support orphaned children across Sri Lanka, preventing "second abandonment" (loss of care after leaving institutional homes at 18) by making periodic deposits directly into individual orphan accounts. • Inclusivity & Scope: Adhering to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, support is provided without discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity. To date, the program has enrolled over 3,200 orphans from 90+ homes nationwide. • Beyond Financial Aid: The collaboration also addresses long-term socioeconomic factors like education, vocational training, healthcare, and creating direct job pathways for youth transitioning into independence. • Funding Integrity: Founding sponsor Amana Bank bears 100% of OrphanCare’s operational and administrative costs, ensuring every rupee donated by partners goes directly to the beneficiaries.
Private Eco-Initiative Transforms 3.5-Acre Sri Lankan Dry-Zone Land into Thriving Sanctuary 📈
• Overall Impact: The "U Strategy Initiative" has successfully transformed a 3.5-acre parcel of semi-arid land in Mailagama, Kataragama, into "Avian Arcadia"—a thriving analog forest and biodiversity refuge mimicking native dry-zone ecosystems since 2012. • Biodiversity Breakdown: Living Habitat: Now home to over 135 bird species, including precious endemics like the Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Red-backed Flameback, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Swallow, and Sri Lanka Green Pigeon. Breeding & Migration: At least 23 bird species nest on-site, including the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, which shows high habitat stability by returning for successive breeding seasons. The site also supports crucial migratory visitors like the Indian Pitta. Broad Ecosystem: Beyond avifauna, the restored habitat hosts rich populations of butterflies, dragonflies, small mammals (rabbits, mongooses), and reptiles adapted to dry environments. • Economic & Educational Context: National Relevance: Demonstrates a scalable model for eco-tourism, environmental conservation, and habitat restoration driven by individual action rather than state funding. Research Hub: The location now operates as an awareness and research center for students and enthusiasts, with future plans to study ecological links inspired by the traditional 'Ellangawa' Tank Cascade System. • Key Challenges: Maintaining the sanctuary requires managing severe dry spells and dwindling water sources, which are mitigated through dedicated native planting.
SL Reaffirms Sustainability Commitment at International Tea Day in China 📈
• Core Message: Plantations and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyaratne reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to building a sustainable, community-focused tea industry at the International Tea Day Conference in Nanning, China. • Strategic Focus: The future of the industry must balance economic growth with social responsibility, environmental management, and the empowerment of tea-growing communities. The Minister framed tea as a form of "soft diplomacy" capable of strengthening international cultural and economic partnerships. • Socio-Economic Impact: The tea industry remains a critical livelihood source for millions of Sri Lankans, including plantation workers, smallholder farmers, and exporters. The government is actively implementing welfare, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure programs to support these communities. • Industry Modernisation: To counter global economic and environmental pressures, Sri Lanka is focusing on sector modernisation through innovation, value addition, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices to maintain the 150-year-old global reputation of Ceylon Tea. • International Collaboration: The conference gathered key representatives from major tea-producing nations (including Kenya, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and the UN FAO, highlighting the importance of global cooperation to ensure fair and sustainable value chains.
📈 Nepal-SL Launch Climate Finance Training Program in Colombo
• Overall Initiative: A five-day Intensive Training Program on Climate Finance for Banking Professionals has commenced in Colombo. The initiative is a joint collaboration between the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL) and the Banking, Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal (BFIN) to strengthen regional sustainable banking frameworks. • Strategic Partnership: IEPSL and BFIN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in professional training, environmental governance, and sustainable finance initiatives. • Core Focus Areas: The training focuses heavily on capacity building in banking & finance, specifically addressing: ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and ESI integration. Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) and credit assessments. Green lending tools, climate finance mechanisms, and green product development. Social safeguards, including Gender Action Plans and SEAH safeguards. • Economic Context & Impact: Given the growing impact of climate risks on financial stability, the program aims to build institutional capacity, support South Asian regional cooperation, and transition banking operations toward long-term climate-responsive and resilient lending and investment strategies. • Delivery: The program utilizes a practical approach featuring case studies, simulations, field visits, and micro-teaching sessions for Nepalese and Sri Lankan financial sector professionals.
⚖️ Parliamentary Subcommittee Appointed to Probe Norochcholai Environmental Impact
A subcommittee has been appointed by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to investigate the environmental impact of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant and submit recommendations to Parliament. • Investigation Focus: The probe will evaluate the environmental consequences of the power and energy plant's operations, identify responsible parties, and assess whether there were institutional shortcomings. • Leadership & Committee: The subcommittee will be chaired by MP and Attorney-at-Law Bhagya Sri Herath, following a decision during a committee meeting chaired by MP Hector Appuhamy. • Stakeholder Involvement: Officials from the Ministries of Environment, Power and Energy, and Health and Mass Media participated in the initial deliberations. • Technology & Training: The Committee plans to coordinate with the German, Japanese, and Chinese Embassies, alongside the Indian High Commission, to secure international training opportunities for local officials on modern power plant technologies.
📈 Hayleys Plantations Marks International Tea Day with Sustainable Legacy
Hayleys Plantations has reaffirmed its commitment to the tea industry, managing over 15,775 employees across 60 estates spanning 22,000 hectares, supporting a resident population of over 120,000. • Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) Manages 25 estates across key agro-climatic regions, employing over 7,000 people. Diversified portfolio includes tea, rubber, coconut, cinnamon, and coffee. Operates the globally renowned Pedro Estate in Nuwara Eliya. Notable Milestones: Halgolla Estate became the world’s first tea estate to receive the regenagri certification for regenerative agriculture. All black tea factories are ISO 22000:2018 certified. • Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTE PLC) Manages 16 estates across 6,491 hectares, employing over 5,000 people. Portfolio expansion: Recently introduced certified organic teas under Great Western and Logie marks, alongside pure Ceylon Matcha tea. Climate Action: Invested LKR 714 Mn in Sri Lanka’s first Gold-rated Green Building tea factory at Kiruwanaganga. Aligned with SBTi 1.5°C pathway to cut greenhouse emissions by 42% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. Renewable energy covers 88% of consumption. Invested approx. LKR 120.79 Mn in its flagship community program 'A Home for Every Plantation Worker'. • Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) Awarded the ‘Best Ethical Tea Exporter Award’ with two estates now producing carbon-neutral tea. Portfolio includes Eagle Nest Tea, Muguru Tea, and Ring Tea. Operational Tech: Deployed digital weighing systems for real-time field-to-factory traceability and weather stations for climate insights. Sustainability: Developing biodegradable alternatives to glyphosate and using bamboo pots over plastic. _Note: Based on company performance updates for International Tea Day 2026._
📈 International Tea Day 2026: Ceylon Tea Highlights Livelihoods and Economic Resilience
On May 21, the United Nations-declared International Tea Day highlighted the critical cultural, social, and economic footprint of the global tea industry, emphasizing sustainability, fair trade, and improved conditions for smallholders and workers. • Economic Impact & Employment: For Sri Lanka, tea remains deeply woven into the national identity, acting as a crucial pillar for employment, rural community empowerment, and vital export earnings. Traditional plantation regions including Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Badulla, and Kandy continue to sustain thousands of livelihoods, with women driving a significant portion of the workforce. • Sector Evolution & Technology: While experiencing traditional reliance on standard production, modern trends are shifting the industry toward specialty teas, organic products, premium blends, and tea tourism. Exporters are also leveraging digital marketing and e-commerce platforms to improve international market access. • Key Challenges Faced: The global industry faces structural hurdles, notably climate change—with rising temperatures and irregular rainfall threatening yields. Smallholder farmers also continue to navigate volatile market prices, escalating production costs, and limited access to advanced agricultural technology. _Note: This summary is based on qualitative anniversary report data._
📈 Ceylinco Life Invests Rs. 19 Mn in Medical Infrastructure at Teaching Hospital Kalutara
Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader, Ceylinco Life, has donated a comprehensive Centralised Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) to the Teaching Hospital Kalutara, significantly upgrading the facility's healthcare delivery and infrastructure. • Investment & Financial Impact: The project was fully funded via a Rs. 19 million CSR investment. The automated system reduces operational costs, resulting in a direct saving of Rs. 75,000 per month for the government hospital. • System Capabilities: The project replaced manual cylinder dependencies with a continuous, centralised 4-line gas network (Medical Air, Surgical Air, Nitrous Oxide, and Oxygen). It involved repairing an idle Oxygen Concentrator to deliver up to 95% pure oxygen and installing an automatic changeover panel to eliminate supply interruptions. An Anaesthesia Gas Scavenging System (AGSS) was also integrated to protect staff and patients from waste gases. • Operational Capacity & Outcomes: The system currently supports 60 inpatient beds across three wards (Wards 03, 16, and 10), 5 operating theatre beds (Theatres C and D), and roughly 40 daily surgical procedures. It eliminates the need for approximately 50 manual oxygen cylinder changes per month, saving over 250 minutes of staff handling time. Key medical outcomes include a drastic reduction in hypoxia risks, fewer operating theatre delays, and faster clinical workflows. • National Context: This project follows a similar Rs. 12.3 million intervention by Ceylinco Life at the Matale District General Hospital in 2023, reflecting corporate sector participation in supporting and modernizing Sri Lanka's resource-constrained public healthcare system.