Connect with us

Business

Sugarcane cultivation incurring massive environmental and human costs: CEJ

Published

on

Sugarcane cultivation: its wide ranging impacts currently being studied

By Ifham Nizam

Analysis of data collected by a Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) research team has revealed a massive loss of forest cover in Sri Lanka, brought about by the acquisition of land for cultivating sugarcane as well as for the establishment of human settlements. The analysis also discloses that waves of human migration had occurred from different parts of the island as a result of the establishment of these sugarcane factories in areas coming within the study.

Key among the research findings is that the destruction of forest cover has led to climatological changes in the areas of study. This is observable in rising temperature levels and anomalies in annual rainfall patterns.

On the other hand, concerns are raised with regard to the disposal of waste generated by the processing of sugarcane, in the form of solid waste and untreated waste-water. Coupled with that is the use of fertilizers for cultivating sugarcane which has been produced using the waste materials.

The objective of this study is to understand the environmental, social and economic impacts the sugarcane industry may have had in the selected districts. To this end, areas surrounding three sugarcane factories, namely, Pelwatte, Sevanagala and Hingurana were selected.

The study gathered information from villagers who are or have been sugarcane farmers or employees at the sugarcane factories, as well as from key informants, such as, Grama Seva officers, wildlife officers, agricultural advisers, environmental activists and other notable individuals in the selected areas, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.

The study revealed that the failure to properly dispose of these waste material has led to the contamination of surface and ground water bodies while leading to the pollution of the air, which was evident in the foul stench that pervaded most of these areas. Meanwhile, the use of fertilizers which were manufactured out of sugarcane waste also impacts soil quality, as well as the insects which are essential for the growth of crops.

Another key issue that was raised in this study is the contribution of sugarcane cultivation to the aggravation of the human-elephant conflict in the selected areas. It was observed that most of the land acquisitions for cultivating sugarcane have been carried out with less regard for elephant pathways.

The study could also identify some health impacts the sugarcane industry may have on the inhabitants of these areas. These impacts include kidney diseases, due to water pollution, skin diseases and the aggravation of asthmatic conditions.

The study also noted some socio-economic outcomes of the sugarcane industry. It was observed that sugarcane has helped improve the basic living conditions of the farmers while providing them a steady income in adverse times, such as, the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it was also revealed that there is a heavy dependence of the sugarcane farmers on sugarcane farming and factories which makes them economically less independent.

The study has recorded some incidents of strife between the unions of the sugarcane farmers and the factory management in areas, such as, Hingurana. Finally, this study also outlines some of the adverse outcomes sugarcane farming can have on the cultivation of other crops, such as, paddy, which range from reduction of soil quality to drying up of water resources.



Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics

Published

on

The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:

New business performance and embedded value

Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)

Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025

EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis

IFRS earnings

Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share

AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)

Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025

Cash generation and capital returns

Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share

Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share

US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back

Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share

Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:

“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.

“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.

“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.

“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

Continue Reading

Business

British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication

Published

on

The British Council team answering questions on Corporate English Solutions from leading corporates about professional development skills courses

The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.

The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.

CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.

Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.

Continue Reading

Business

Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026

Published

on

Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.

Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.

Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.

Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”

Continue Reading

Trending