Business
Teejay supports project which creates a 9-km forest corridor on the banks of Maskeli Oya
Joins forces with ‘WNPS PLANT’ to part fund reforesting of over 50 Hectares
Leading textile manufacturer Teejay Lanka PLC has pledged funding support towards part of the reforestation of a nine-kilometer section of the banks of the Maskeli Oya, a major upstream tributary of one of Sri Lanka’s most important rivers, the Kelani.
Connecting to the foothills of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, the initiative is supported as part of the Company’s sustainability road-map and will enhance water quality, reduce human animal conflict, and contribute to combating climate change as well, a Teejay news release said.
The project, on land in the Maskeliya Upcot valley that is to be released for the purpose by the Hayleys Group’s Horana Plantations PLC, is being executed and managed by Preserving Land and Nature (Guarantee) Limited (PLANT), a company established by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s largest and most active conservation entity.
A Memorandum of Understanding entered into by Teejay and PLANT (www.plantsl.org) envisages the regeneration of forest cover on 30 to 50 feet wide continuous strips of land on the opposing banks of the waterway. Five project segments combine, forming a nine-kilometer forest corridor that will create over 50 hectares of new forest, with one of these segments funded by Teejay.
Teejay Lanka CEO Mr Pubudu De Silva said the two-year project would be a significant element of the Company’s ‘Abhivarah 2030’ sustainability road map and generate valuable carbon credits, while helping restore one of the country’s most scenic natural habitats to its pristine state. “Teejay is also focused on initiatives to improve the environment in and around the Kelani River and its related ecosystems, and this project is a perfect extension of that commitment,” he said.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU, PLANT Chairman Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne commended Teejay for the company’s solid commitment towards nature preservation and for the many groundbreaking initiatives it is taking. “PLANT is fortunate to have visionary partners like Teejay coming forward to set an example for others to follow,” he added.
The forest corridor that is to be created by PLANT as part of this reforestation project will comprise of multiple tree species including Tel-keena (Calophyllum walker) Kudu dawula or dawul Kurundu – (Neolitsea cassia) Gal-Weralu (Elaeocarpus subvillosus) and Kenda (Macaranga sp.) among others, thereby helping to enhance the biodiversity of the area, prevent soil erosion and flooding.
PLANT was set up with the aim of acquiring privately-owned lands outright or on a long-term lease for the purpose of conservation and to collect funds for the purpose of conservation, while also working to leverage lands which are owned by Partners themselves. PLANT currently supports more than 2,500 Acres of conservation footprint in over 20 locations with the help of multiple local and global partners
Teejay’s ‘Abhivarah 2030’ road-map aims to plant one million trees and achieve net zero carbon emissions by the company by 2050. Developed in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, its three principal pillars are defined as Responsible Consumption – doing more with less; Responsible Discharge – waste to wealth; and Support Thriving Planet – to earth with love. Among its targets are achieving zero toxic chemical usage and discharge, transition to renewable energy sources, and reducing water intensity consumption by 50%, to achieve a 100% sustainable product portfolio.
An ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001: 2018 and Eco Labeling compliant company and the first in the industry to develop green fabric, Teejay Lanka was also the first textile manufacturer in Sri Lanka to receive membership of the US Cotton Trust Protocol. Teejay is a public quoted company with 40 per cent public ownership and the backing of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter Brandix Lanka which has a 33 per cent stake in the Company. Pacific Textiles of Hong Kong, whose key shareholder is the Tokyo Stock Exchange listed Toray Industries Inc., owns 27 per cent of Teejay Lanka.
Business
‘ComBank ends Q1 as first private sector banking group on the cusp of Rs 3 Tn. assets milestone’
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group has made a characteristically strong start to 2025, recording healthy profit and balance sheet growth in the first quarter of the year.
Comprising of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries and an associate, the Group reported in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) that assets reached Rs 2.999 trillion as at 31st March 2025.
Gross income for the quarter grew by 9.85% to Rs 88.10 billion, while interest income improved by 3.14% to Rs 72.60 billion. Interest expenses reduced by 10.09% to Rs 38.38 billion as a result of repricing of liabilities amidst the lower rates regime that prevailed, generating a 23.53% growth in net interest income, which amounted to Rs 34.21 billion for the three months reviewed.
Total operating income grew by 33.40% to Rs 46.62 billion, but the Group’s provision for impairment charges and other losses was increased by 110.44% to Rs 7.23 billion with additional provisions made on a prudential basis for individually-significant customers, which resulted in an improvement in the Bank’s impaired loans (Stage 3) ratio.
Building on the momentum of its groundbreaking “Women in Tourism” initiative, Intrepid Travel Colombo, in collaboration with the Market Development Facility (MDF) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), successfully conducted another impactful workshop—this time focusing on women business owners in the tourism sector.
Held in Kandy on Saturday, 5th April, the session brought together 15 dynamic female business owners from the Central Province with a shared passion for responsible tourism and sustainable business. The workshop forms part of Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women across the tourism value chain in Sri Lanka and follows the inaugural training program held in September last year which targeted aspiring female tour leaders.
This insightful session was tailored to uplift and support women who are already leading or managing businesses within the tourism ecosystem, and hailing from the Central Province.
“This was an impactful day of learning, sharing, and growing together,” said Poornaka Delpachitra, Country GM of Intrepid. “Our focus this time was on women business owners—those who are already shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in meaningful ways but often face unique challenges in accessing resources, networks, and recognition. By creating a space for peer connection, leadership development, and shared learning, we’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive tourism sector.”
The training session was designed to strengthen key leadership and entrepreneurial skills such as business strategy, confidence-building, marketing, and innovation in sustainable tourism. It also provided participants with valuable networking opportunities and a sense of solidarity, reinforcing the message that women are not alone in their journeys.
Colombo Coffee Company, the largest total coffee solutions provider in Sri Lanka’s and a fully-owned subsidiary of the world’s largest Ceylon Tea exporter Akbar Brothers, has appointed Kushan Samararatne as the Chief Executive Officer.
With a career marked by strategic foresight, operational excellence, and transformational leadership, Kushan brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his new role. As General Manager, he led Colombo Coffee Company to unprecedented heights during his tenure.
Kushan’s impact at Colombo Coffee Company extended far beyond financial metrics. Under his dynamic leadership, the company successfully established its first in-house production unit, developed many local coffee blends, and launched roasting operations, making significant strides toward vertical integration and value creation. His deep commitment to quality was further evidenced by the company aligning its operations with Lavazza’s international standards – reinforcing Colombo Coffee Company’s reputation for excellence in every aspect of its operations.
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