Business
Major entities come together to create value from waste via Public-Private Partnership
In light of the solid waste management challenges faced, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and three of Sri Lanka’s largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies – Coca-Cola Sri Lanka Beverages Ltd. along with The Coca-Cola Foundation, Nestlé, and Unilever, have come together to launch a sustainable plastic waste management project, with the ambition of tackling plastic pollution and leveraging the untapped potential of plastic waste. This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) named ‘Waste to Value’ aims to strengthen infrastructure on collection, segregation, recycling and upcycling of plastic waste, whilst driving a behavioural change towards a circular economy by creating awareness on the value of responsibly disposed waste to livelihoods and the environment.
Financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as part of its develoPPP programme, together with its consortium partners, the project will be conducted in two phases partnering the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Having initiated the groundwork in 2022, the consortium conducted a baseline survey to understand the plastic waste landscape of Local Authorities in the Western Province, including the tonnage collected, available space and potential for segregation and recycling. Following a thorough review, nine Local Authorities were selected for the project.
Accordingly, as the first phase, material recovery facilities will be set up to recover plastic and other recyclable waste at selected Local Authorities with adequate space, namely, Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha and Kesbewa Urban Council. As the second phase, five Local Authorities which do not have adequate space to set up material recovery facilities will be added to the project, by encouraging residents of select areas to segregate waste at a household level.
In addition to setting up material recovery facilities, the project aims to strengthen the waste collection mechanism in the select areas by developing schemes to incentivize waste collectors and raising public awareness on the importance of responsible disposal, thereby inspiring a positive change in behavior. It also focuses on the implementation of comprehensive training and development plans on plastic waste management for entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
“We want to create a sustainable and resilient tomorrow for Sri Lanka and its people. Towards this end, we strive to build a sustainable plastic waste management system by working with every stakeholder of the waste value chain, from waste creators to collectors and processors, and making them part of the solution. There is value in the plastic waste ending up in landfill, and we want to promote a circular economy by recycling and upcycling these materials. We’re proud to pool together our resources, expertise, and shared sustainability goals to work towards a cleaner, greener Sri Lanka” said GIZ, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola Beverages, Nestlé and Unilever in a joint statement.
“End to end plastic waste management is the need of the hour. 60% of the country’s municipal solid waste, including plastic, is generated in the Western Province. We hope this project will help us create an efficient waste management model that can be replicated in other parts of the country. We appreciate the commitment of the ‘Waste to Value’ Public-Private Partnership and look forward to working together to tackle the important issue of waste management” said Pradeep Yasarathna, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Continuing its mission to drive inclusive economic recovery and empower Sri Lanka’s grassroots business sector, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has actively accelerated the disbursement of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Finance Project line of credit.
As Sri Lanka’s premier private sector lender, Commercial Bank drives regional development by bridging financial gaps outside the Western Province. Jaffna and the broader Northern Province remain pivotal focus areas due to their immense potential for industrial regeneration, vibrant agricultural output, and entrepreneurial resilience in the post-crisis economic landscape.
Directing targeted, affordable financing enables local enterprises to overcome historical financing barriers, expand production capacity, and stimulate employment across regional supply chains.
Quality at the Source: ADB Country Director Shannon Cowlin inspects a bottle of premium sesame oil at the New V.S.P. Gingelly Oil factory floor in Jaffna. Working capital facilities extended through Commercial Bank under the ADB line of credit enable manufacturers like Harish Industries to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka while securing long-term economic resilience.
The dedicated credit scheme offers affordable interest rates to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rebound from recent macroeconomic shocks, maintain employment stability, and build long-term sustainability. Designed to target underserved segments, the funding line prioritizes viable enterprises located outside the Colombo district, women-owned and women-led businesses, and ventures incorporating strong climate finance components. Eligible sectors span manufacturing, agriculture, animal husbandry, technology, tourism, and direct export industries.
A standout beneficiary showcasing the transformative impact of this regional focus is Harish Industries, a flourishing manufacturing firm located within the purview of Commercial Bank’s Manipay branch in Jaffna. Owned and operated by proprietor Ponnuchamy Prabakaran, Harish Industries manufactures premium sesame oil under the popular brand name “New VSP Gingelly Oil”.
The working capital facility extended by the line of credit to Harish Industries helped to cater to short-term liquidity needs, ease out cash flow pressure, and operate the business in a sustainable manner.
Additionally, this financial backing helped create more employment opportunities, strengthen its supply chain, and expand business operations to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
True corporate leadership extends far beyond financial metrics and market dominance. For the Commercial Bank of Ceylon – recognised as Sri Lanka’s top-ranked bank in the 2026 edition of The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks and the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank—true progress means investing directly in the nation’s ecological health.
On 19 September, the Bank demonstrated how a massive institutional infrastructure can be mobilised for the greater good.
Marking International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 under its “Forward Together for a Cleaner Future” platform, the Bank brought together employees, corporate management, customers, and volunteers for a coordinated national conservation initiative spanning 20 locations.
What sets this effort apart is its deliberate breadth. The campaign moved far beyond a conventional beach cleanup by integrating 16 coastal sites – including prominent Colombo locations like Mount Lavinia, Wellawatte, and Galle Face, alongside regional spots from Point Pedro to Dondra – with four vital inland waterways, such as the Mahaweli River at Polgolla Dam and Parakrama Samudraya. This structural reach ensured that even inland communities could actively participate in a unified national environmental mission.
This massive undertaking was anchored by robust partnerships, working alongside the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) as the technical partner and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Network Sri Lanka. By translating its formal 2025 adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and its role as a UNGC Patron into boots-on-the-ground volunteerism, the Bank bridged high-level environmental policy with grassroots action.
Ultimately, Commercial Bank’s nationwide mobilisation proves that when a premier financial institution harnesses its expansive network, corporate responsibility stops being a theoretical framework and becomes a tangible, community-driven force for a cleaner future.
The grand halls of the Taj Samudra in Colombo buzzed with a distinct energy on the morning of September 25, 2026, as leaders gathered for the National Celebration of World Tourism Day.
Yet, beneath the formal discussions on digital agendas and artificial intelligence, a deeper, more vibrant narrative was quietly unfolding. This was not merely a story of algorithms and automated efficiency; it was a human story – a tale of Sri Lanka’s youth stepping forward to redesign the future of hospitality.
For generations, Sri Lanka’s allure has been rooted in its timeless landscapes, golden shores, and the legendary warmth of its people. But as global travel evolves, a new generation of tech-savvy local innovators is finding ways to weave cutting-edge technology into the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan culture. This shift took center stage during the Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026, held under the theme “AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism”.
Out of 52 competitive applications spanning tertiary and commercial levels, young minds proved that technology and tradition can go hand in hand.
The twenty-five shortlisted teams stood before expert panels to defend visions that bridge the gap between ancient heritage and modern data intelligence.
Behind every submitted AI solution was a young entrepreneur eager to protect local destinations, enhance visitor experiences, and elevate service delivery.
When the twelve winners were finally honoured, the celebration transformed into something much greater than an awards ceremony.
It served as a powerful reminder that the true engine of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is its youth. Armed with code, creativity, and a profound love for their country, these young visionaries are ensuring that when travelers explore Sri Lanka, they do not just witness the future – they feel the heartbeat of a new, digitally empowered era of hospitality.
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