Business
Dilmah Tea Invites Industry Collaboration to Strengthen Sustainability & Resilience in Ceylon Tea Industry
With the climate emergency clouding prospects for farmers globally, Dilmah Tea recently invited stakeholders in Ceylon Tea to a collaboration aimed at embedding sustainability and resilience into Sri Lanka’s tea industry, the company said in a news release last week.
“The initiative is linked to wider conservation, restoration and sustainable agriculture efforts by Dilmah Conservation, linked to its Genesis, nature based solutions programme, and its global climate action efforts via the Dilmah Conservation, One Earth Climate Research and Adaptation Centre. The initiative envisages collaboration with Universities and Researchers in strengthening climate resilience on tea plantations through more regenerative forms of agriculture,” it said.
Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando founded Dilmah Tea with emphasis on family values and a commitment to kindness to people and nature. That foundation is reinforced by his lifetime of devotion to Ceylon Tea until he passed away in July last year. In 2012 the family company established Biodiversity Sri Lanka with the intention of escalating its own efforts at Conservation through Biodiversity Sri Lanka into a broader coalition. Recently Merrill J. Fernando’s son Dilhan, now Chairman & CEO of Dilmah Tea, invited stakeholders in the tea industry to a collaboration aimed at driving sustainability in the Ceylon Tea Industry.
The launch event was held on December 1, 2023 at Dilmah’s ‘Founder’s Auditorium’, where 128 Regional Plantation Companies and representatives of tea smallholders convened. The meeting aimed at collectively addressing concerns and actions towards mitigating threats to the shared future of the tea industry. The focus was on the opportunity in greening the plantations, by supporting livelihoods and strengthening sustainability while mitigating the effects of increasing climate extremes. The opportunity for Ceylon Tea lies in building on sustainability to meet growing demand, strengthen livelihoods and consumer appeal while minimizing environmental impact. The theme of the gathering reflected the reality of a shared future, “Stronger Together,” the release said.
In July 2023, a similar initiative was launched to support sustainability among packaging material manufacturers -the Dilmah – MJF Sustainable Supply Chain Road Map focuses on strengthening capacity of small and medium packaging companies in the area of sustainability. While inviting collaboration for positive change, Dilmah offered support to colleagues and competitors in the industry, it added.
“Sustainability is too often viewed as a cost, when it is in reality an opportunity that builds resilience, strengthens consumer engagement and ensures the survival of businesses that take sustainability seriously,” stressed Dilhan C Fernando. He added that while Dilmah Conservation had worked on conservation, restoration, climate action and sustainable agriculture since 2007, the Stronger Together initiative was aimed at extending those benefits across the Sri Lanka Tea Industry.
Key figures in the tea industry and biodiversity, including Niraj De Mel, Chairman of the Tea Board, Vihagun Ariyarathne, CEO of Owita Naturals, Anil Cooke of Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC, Prof Enoka Kudavidanage, Conservation Biologist, addressed the event.
Niraj De Mel, Chairman of the Tea Board has been vocal in the past about the role of smallholder growers in the industry and need to reach production goals, particularly in the areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the event, he also emphasized the relationship between the tea industry and sustainability explaining – “we have destroyed that tea bush by going away from the sustainability code and thereby come into the situation where we say we cannot achieve B60 (leaf programme route).Don’t blame it on the weather and the lack of input – we have moved away from basics. If we are to be sustainable, we need to look after the tea bush and that is the only way we can also get into the top end of the tea market.”
Ceylon tea marks 157 years since its inception with a Colombo Tea Convention this year. The uniqueness of the industry has ensured its survival through turbulence, industry change, and transformation while preserving the identity as a universally loved beverage. Dilmah invited the gathered tea plantation community to submit their proposals aligned with carbon emission reduction or higher education opportunities for children in the plantations. After a transparent evaluation, Dilmah’s MJF Foundation will support the most impactful proposals.
In fulfilling Merrill J. Fernando’s pledge to make Dilmah a business that serves humanity, the company continues to use a minimum of 15% of its pre-tax profits for kindness to people and nature, via the MJF Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.
The environmental and humanitarian efforts of both are documented in ‘Impact,’ an e-publication that can be accessed online [https://issuu.com/dilmah/docs/impact_2022_family_business_serving_humanity]. Stronger Together is a significant component in this effort, combining environmental and humanitarian priorities in a collaboration that will strengthen the foundation of Ceylon Tea for the next century.
More than 200 senior business leaders, policymakers, investors, sustainability practitioners and United Nations representatives convened in Colombo on 11–12 August for Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth—the United Nations Global Compact’s flagship regional forum in Asia-Pacific.
Hosted by UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and organized by the UN Global Compact APAC Hub in collaboration with 14 Global Compact Country Networks, the forum strengthened regional collaboration and demonstrated the growing role of business leadership in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.
More than 80 high-level speakers from across the region contributed to the two-day programme, bringing together expertise from business, finance, government, the United Nations and civil society. The forum also convened an exceptional audience of CEOs, C-Suite, Board Directors, Heads of UN agencies and senior decision-makers, creating one of the region’s most significant platforms for cross-sector dialogue on sustainable business.
Across plenary dialogues, leadership panels and action-oriented workshops, participants explored the issues shaping the future of business in Asia-Pacific, including climate action, sustainable finance, gender equality, resilient supply chains, water stewardship, governance and integrity, digital innovation, human rights due diligence, circular economy solutions and ESG data for decision-making. Rather than focusing solely on ambition, Forward Faster Now challenged businesses to move from broad sustainability goals to target setting, practical decisions, stronger systems and action that can deliver progress at scale.
A defining milestone of the forum was the visit of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. Her presence in Sri Lanka underscored the country’s growing role within the regional sustainability agenda and reinforced the importance of private sector leadership in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond the public programme, her visit included a series of bilateral engagements and strategic convenings with business and institutional leaders, deepening relationships and opening new avenues for engagement between the UN Global Compact and stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
The event also marked the launch of three significant initiatives by UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka that will extend the impact of the convening well beyond the event itself. The Responsible Business Coalition was introduced as a new partnership to embed sustainability, and strengthen governance by bringing together Sri Lanka’s leading professional and industry associations to embed the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into their existing convening, training and thought-leadership channels, moving responsible business from a standalone function to a shared C-Suite and Board responsibility.
Business
Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General celebrates ‘One Team, One Vision’ sales excellence at Annual Awards 2025
The Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL) team gathered to honour its top-performing sales professionals at the Annual Sales Awards 2025, held under the theme ‘One Team, One Vision’ on 20th August at the Monarch Imperial.
The evening convened sales leaders and high achievers throughout the island to celebrate a year of sustained performance, customer trust, and commitment which has kept SLICGL at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s general insurance sector.
Affirming SLICGL’s appreciation for the people driving success on the ground, the Sales Awards 2025 recognised those who went beyond targets, deepened client relationships, and contributed directly to the company’s continued expansion.
The event drew an unprecedented audience of over 700 participants. This year’s celebrations recognised a record number of winners, more than double the achievements honoured last year covering a diverse range of award categories reflecting excellence at every level of the business.
Nusith Kumaratunga, Chairman, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation graced the event as the Chief Guest together with the Board of Directors and senior management of SLICGL also present as invited guests, encouraging and commending the winners for their outstanding achievements.
The award winners at this year’s ceremony included Insurance Advisors, Marketing Executives, Branch Managers, Regional Managers, and members of the Head Office Sales Channels, who were recognised and celebrated for their outstanding achievements in multiple categories.
Business
Sri Lanka to host SEARIC Summit 2026 for the first time, welcoming over 500 youth leaders from across South East Asia
Sri Lanka is set to host the SEARIC Summit 2026 from 11 to 13 September 2026 at the Pegasus Reef Hotel, marking the first time the country will host the flagship regional gathering of the South East Asia Rotaract Information Centre (SEARIC).
Hosted by Rotaract in Rotary International District 3220 (RID 3220) – Sri Lanka & Maldives, the three-day summit is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates from six countries, creating a regional platform for leadership development, knowledge exchange, cultural understanding and collaboration among young leaders. The South-East Asia Rotaract Information Centre (SEARIC) serves as a regional platform connecting Rotaract districts across South East Asia. It facilitates collaboration, information exchange, cultural understanding and joint initiatives among Rotaractors across the region. The annual SEARIC Summit serves as the network’s flagship gathering, bringing together Rotaractors and Rotarians from participating countries for shared learning, fellowship, cultural exchange and collective growth.
Under the theme “The Role of Technology in the Future of Careers and Services,” SEARIC Summit Sri Lanka 2026 will explore the rapidly changing relationship between technology, careers, leadership and community service. As emerging technologies continue to transform industries and the way people work, the summit will provide a platform for young leaders to examine how technology can be used not only to prepare for the future of work, but also to strengthen the way communities are served. Across three days, delegates will participate in leadership and professional development sessions, discussions, cultural experiences, networking opportunities and community-focused programming, with the central theme reflected throughout the summit programme.
Beyond the Rotaract movement, the event also contributes to Sri Lanka’s broader positioning as a destination for international conferences, youth leadership programmes and regional collaboration. With hundreds of international delegates travelling to the country, the summit provides an opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s hospitality, culture and potential as a host destination for future international gatherings. The event further creates a platform for young leaders from across South East Asia to connect with Sri Lankan counterparts, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
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