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Beyond the Fashion Value Chain: MAS Leads Global Biodiversity Restoration

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3 months ago

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Aerial Reforestation Project

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots, with nature deeply intertwined with community life. Reflecting this connection, across the island, small-scale conservation efforts have always thrived in pockets. For MAS Holdings, the urgency of the environmental crisis made it clear that scattered initiatives were not enough- it was time to bring them together into an impactful, long-term approach. Employees have also welcomed the chance to be part of projects that protect nature, finding meaning in contributing to something that benefits both their communities and the environment.

Recognising this, apparel-tech conglomerate MAS Holdings has made biodiversity restoration central to its sustainability roadmap, the MAS Plan for Change 2030. Building on its commitments for 2025, the company has pledged to reforest and restore biodiversity across an area 100 times larger than its global operational footprint.

For an organization that spans 15 countries- across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, this amounts to more than 31,700 acres of land. According to Nemanthie Kooragamage, Director – Group Sustainable Business at MAS Holdings, achieving reforestation on such an ambitious scale demands bold and innovative approaches.

“Well-planned restoration can do far more than replace lost trees,” she explains. “It can reconnect fragmented landscapes, stabilise soils, improve freshwater quality, rebuild coastal and mangrove nurseries, and create wildlife corridors- benefits that safeguard nature and the long-term resilience of apparel supply chains and communities.”

Building a Scalable Goal

The roots of MAS’ biodiversity goal trace back to 2017, when it pledged to restore 250 acres of land, equivalent to its operational footprint at the time. By the end of the initiative, the company had doubled its target and restored 500 acres of land.

Even then, MAS recognised that planting trees alone was not enough. As it pursued this goal, it became clear that landscapes face different pressures, from invasive species to degraded soils, and therefore require tailored interventions. And so, MAS developed its six-model framework for restoration: Conservation, Reforestation, Invasive Removal, Afforestation, Analog Forests, and Forest Gardens.

This framework later underpinned the biodiversity target set under Plan for Change 2025, which scaled up the 2017 pledge to restore 100 times MAS’ operational footprint at the time, a total of 25,000 acres.

Applying the Six-Model Approach

Over the last five years, the six-model framework has been put into practice, with projects demonstrating how different contexts required different interventions.

Conservation was at the heart of the Panama In-Situ Turtle Conservation Project, launched in partnership with two corporates and the Wildlife and Ocean Resources Conservation Society. Protecting a three to ten-kilometre stretch of coastline, the project has safeguarded 272 nests and released over 17,000 hatchlings since October 2023, directly supporting the survival of endangered sea turtle species.

Reforestation included the restoration of 10 acres of mangroves in Trincomalee, where MAS achieved an 81% sapling survival rate. Meanwhile, the Ittapana Mangrove Forest Reforestation Project, undertaken with the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and local communities, planted 500 saplings with a 94% survival rate. Beyond ecological restoration, it enhanced local fisheries, improved water quality, and engaged students and residents, ensuring long-term community impact.

To restore large, inaccessible degraded terrains, MAS partnered with the Sri Lanka Air Force to disperse seed bombs. This aerial reforestation method restored 275 acres and achieved a 45% survival rate, demonstrating an efficient solution for landscapes that could not be rehabilitated through conventional means.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) removal was another critical strand, with programmes carried out in national parks in partnership with the Department of Wildlife Conservation. At Horton Plains, MAS removed Ulex europaeus from 82% of the affected areas and restored 244 acres of sensitive ecosystem. At Udawalawe and Lunugamwehera, the manual removal of Lantana camara supported the regeneration of grasslands vital for elephants, leopards, and sloth bears.

“We tested different approaches in Sri Lanka, from coastal conservation to seed bombing and invasive species removal, and they proved effective in their own contexts. With the scale of our biodiversity goals and our global operational footprint, the next step was to take these learnings beyond Sri Lanka and apply them internationally,” said Uvini Athukorala, Manager – Environmental Sustainability.

Expanding Globally

As part of its Plan for Change 2025 biodiversity conservation efforts, MAS extended projects beyond Sri Lanka to countries where it also has manufacturing operations. This ensured that the company’s restoration work addressed the landscapes and communities directly connected to its business footprint.

In Central Java, Indonesia, the Blora Ngawi Biodiversity Restoration Project has restored over 12,601 acres since 2023. The initiative planted more than half a million trees and established a multi-stakeholder forest management model that combines forest protection, land rehabilitation, and habitat enrichment.

In Kenya, MAS launched its largest conservation project to date, protecting 8,275 acres within the Nairobi National Park, in partnership with The Wildlife Foundation. The project secured wildlife corridors critical for elephants, lions, and cheetahs, reduced human-wildlife conflict, and created conservation-linked livelihoods for more than 600 people, with women and youth playing a central role.

These global projects demonstrated that the lessons learned in Sri Lanka, experimenting with diverse approaches and working hand in hand with local partners, could be successfully scaled in other contexts, while directly benefiting the communities where MAS operates.

Lessons for the Future

As the Plan for Change 2025 concludes, MAS has restored 25,058 acres toward its biodiversity conservation goal. The experience highlights two key lessons. First, that restoration must be context-specific. From mangrove reforestation in Trincomalee to invasive species removal in Horton Plains, or aerial reforestation of degraded terrain, each ecosystem required a different model to deliver meaningful results. Second, that collaboration is essential. Partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, universities, and local communities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Kenya ensured both technical expertise and local ownership, making projects sustainable beyond their initial interventions.


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SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System

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6 hours ago

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2026/03/31

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SriLankan Airlines recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of its AI- and ML-powered Revenue Management System, a project that earned the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 by PROS and the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.

Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”

Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”

Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.

Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.

This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.

As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)

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CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme

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6 hours ago

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2026/03/31

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A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.

Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.

Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.

The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.

The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.

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LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers

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6 hours ago

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2026/03/31

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Chandana L. Aluthgama Executive Director/Principal Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd // Jayantha Kalinga Chief Operating Officer LOLC Life Assurance Ltd.

LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.

In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”

Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”

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