Business
How a young entrepreneur finds worth in plastic waste
Pathum’s love towards keeping the environment plastic-free drives his passion for implementing a viable system for waste collection in Sri Lanka
International Youth Day is a reminder to recognise the initiatives of young people whose meaningful contributions will have a lasting impact on global developmental efforts. Celebrated every year on the 12th of August, Youth Day magnifies the actions of young people who aspire to repair the earth we live in, through their entrepreneurial decisions to solve the world’s most pressing issues.
As industrialisation and population increase, Sri Lanka is battling a threatening matter; the growth in irresponsible plastic waste disposal/management. Plastic consumption on the island sees a 16% increase, where 265,000 metric tons are consumed annually. Realising the damage this could cause, a young entrepreneur, Pathum Niranjana, started P&L Industries based in Athurugiriya in 2011 at the age of 20 to collect PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic and other plastics.
A labour of love
Now, 30, he recalled why he started the company, attributing it to the love he has for keeping the environment free of plastic waste. “Before starting P&L Industries, I worked for a company that collected PET plastic. I noticed that plastic was everywhere, from the sides of the road to the waterways. I then realised that I needed to venture out and diversify my business by not only limiting it to collecting PET plastic but also other types of plastic waste, too,” mentioned Pathum.
On a typical day, he deploys his team to collect and purchase waste plastic from municipal councils in the Western Province, after the respective municipalities collect from households and offices. Depending on the plastics’ quality, he buys PET bottles from municipal collectors for Rs. 20-30 a kilo and other plastics (HDPE and PP) for Rs. 60-70 a kilo. Every month, his team collects approximately 450,000 PET bottles and 70-80 metric tons of other plastics, then sold to recyclers to create value-added products. One such is Sri Lanka’s largest plastic recycler, Eco Spindles, who also assisted P&L Industries by giving a loan during the pandemic when collectors like Pathum saw a reduction in income.
Though his business operations are now thriving, Pathum faced multiple challenges as a young business owner. When he started, establishing the business was problematic due to the lack of people/businesses with the necessary expertise in waste collection. Additionally, he required a team of employees who understood the trade while securing funds to buy a space to store plastic waste collected.
Reversing stigmas
“Furthermore, an issue we faced then, and even now, is the stigma behind waste collectors as many people think it’s a 3rd class business. But, it’s a business where you can make profits while also doing a service to the environment and our island home. Most have stigmatised the job as just a role of a bothal paththara karaya, but the industry and the role has evolved into a formal employment opportunity,” highlighted Pathum.
Despite these challenges, Pathum persevered to see his dream materialise and reverse the stigma. Today, he owns four vehicles to collect, purchase and transport plastic to recyclers and has employed 15 people. “I have plans to grow my waste collection business. I want to include components of a recycling facility. So I bought a crusher machine to crush PET plastic into pellets, which I can sell to organisations that can make products such as yarn and crush HDPE plastic to make Alkathene pipes used in agriculture,” stated Pathum.
An opportunity to thrive
On his journey to expand P&L Industries, he believes Sri Lanka can thrive in the waste collection sector since COVID-19 has restricted imports. “If imported, PET pellets cost between Rs. 300-400 a kilo, while locally, I can sell to companies for Rs.150 a kilo. Because of this, it is important to know that banning PET bottles is not practical since we don’t have a cost-effective alternative. Glass is too costly and difficult to transport,” indicated Pathum.
Pathum is a reminder that hard work and dedication are key pillars to success. Astonished that plastic waste is becoming a widely recognisable problem, he is on a quest to be part of a system that can provide viable solutions to this issue. “If collectors like myself do not collect and buy plastic waste, we run the risk of releasing the waste to open dumps/landfills, instead of sending it to recyclers who can give it new life,” emphasised Pathum.
Recycling ensures that a circular economy is established where the value of plastic bottles continues indefinitely. Pathum, as a collector, has become an integral part of this sustainable way of doing business.
Janashakthi Finance PLC, formerly known as Orient Finance PLC and a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), announces the appointment of Sithambaram Sri Ganendran as the Chief Executive Officer.
Sri Ganendran, who has held the position of Chief Operating Officer since September 2024, stepped in as Acting Chief Executive Officer during the past four months.
He brings with him almost 27 years of extensive experience in banking. Throughout his extensive career, he has held senior management roles in multiple local and international banks, where he acquired in-depth knowledge in operations, branch banking (across retail and SME sectors), operational risk, business continuity management, business integration, process reengineering, operational excellence, sales governance and credit card operations. He holds a plethora of qualifications including an MBA from American City University. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the United Kingdom, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI), and a member of the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka.
Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of Janashakthi Finance PLC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sithambaram Sri Ganendran to this important leadership role at a pivotal moment in our journey. His wealth of experience, proven track record, and people-focused leadership style make him well suited to strengthen and guide Janashakthi Finance, ensuring efficient continuity in all ongoing operations.”
The appointment of Sri Ganendran as Chief Executive Officer, reinforces Janashakthi Finance’s deep commitment to seamless operations and growth. It also underscores its dedication to vision of delivering trusted financial solutions, while continuously exploring opportunities for innovation and expansion to serve its customers and communities more efficiently.
Business
Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka reviews performance and unveils Strategic Roadmap for 2026
The Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL) reviewed its annual performance and unveiled its Strategic Roadmap for 2026 following its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025, held on 10th December 2025 at the Radisson Hotel, Colombo.
The AGM presented a comprehensive review of the Association’s activities during the year, along with the audited financial statements, which confirmed that DMASL recorded its strongest financial performance to date. The Association reported healthy revenue growth, a positive net profit, and a stable financial position, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and strong governance.
The meeting confirmed the continuation of the existing Board of Directors for the upcoming term. The Board comprises Arjun Jeger (President), Ms. Gayathri Seneviratne (Vice President), Shalendra Mendis (Vice President), Udara Dharmasena (Secretary), and Muhammed Gazzaly (Treasurer).
In addition, the Executive Committee (ExCo) for the 2025/2026 term was confirmed, bringing together a diverse group of experienced industry professionals to support the Board in driving the Association’s strategic priorities, overseeing programme execution, and strengthening member engagement across the digital marketing ecosystem.
The AGM also reflected on a year of key milestones, including flagship industry events, professional development initiatives, strategic partnerships, and community-focused programmes that strengthened Sri Lanka’s digital marketing ecosystem.
Building on this momentum, DMASL unveiled its ROADMAP 2026, outlining several new strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the industry and creating sustainable impact. These initiatives include:
DMASL Academy: Focused on upskilling the nation’s digital workforce through expert-led education and training programmes.
Digital Services Fair: A national platform designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s digital capabilities, solutions, and service providers.
DMASL Resident Bootcamps: Intensive programmes aimed at developing high-performance digital talent aligned with industry needs.
The Steering Committee (SteerCo) will support the implementation of the 2026 roadmap by facilitating partnerships, guiding research initiatives, identifying skills gaps, and strengthening collaboration across the digital marketing community.
Commenting on the year ahead, Arjun Jeger, President of DMASL, stated that the Association remains focused on raising professional standards, investing in skills development, and positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive digital services hub.
Sampath Bank PLC has officially partnered with Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC, the legal entity behind PickMe, Sri Lanka’s leading technology platform facilitating mobility, delivery and experiences, to successfully integrate Visa’s CyberSource internet Payment Gateway. This milestone reinforces Sri Lanka’s ongoing transition toward a more secure and cashless digital economy by enabling fast, reliable, and secure card payments across PickMe rides and PickMe delivery services.
The integration marks a strategic collaboration between one of Sri Lanka’s top financial institutions and a pioneering tech platform, aiming to streamline mobile payments, enhance digital security, and deliver frictionless customer experiences. It also reflects Sampath Bank’s broader commitment to empowering local digital businesses through world-class financial technology.
“This integration reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital payment systems,” said Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre at Sampath Bank PLC. He further stated, “We’re proud to support PickMe through Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway, making payments more secure and convenient for users, while helping our partners grow confidently.”
“At PickMe, we’re committed to driving Sri Lanka’s digital transformation by making everyday transactions faster, safer, and more accessible. This partnership with Sampath Bank and Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway is a major step forward in delivering seamless payment experiences to our users. Together, we’re building a more connected, cashless, and inclusive digital economy,” says Jiffry Zulfer Hassen, CEO at PickMe.
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