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KVPL wins Gold for Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness at Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2023

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Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai (second from right) receiving the Gold Award in the Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness from High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa in Singapore Charlotte Lobe (centre) with KVPL General Manager – HR & Corporate Sustainability Anuruddha Gamage (far right)

Leading Sri Lankan Regional Plantation Company (RPC) Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), a subsidiary of Hayleys Plantations, clinched the Gold Award in the Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness category at the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2023, a company news release said.

The awards also recognised KVPL’s General Manager/HR & Corporate Sustainability Anuruddha Gamage’s efforts to drive impactful, sustainable change across the organisation with the ‘Catalyst for Change in Organisational Knowledge Management into Business Excellence’ Award, it added.

Organised by the Commonwealth Partnership Summit and hosted at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore, the event recognises the vital social and environmental contributions of organisations that raise the bar in service excellence, their commitment to customers, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviours and environmental sustainability.

Commenting on the win, Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated, “As industry leaders in the Sri Lankan Plantations Sector, our pursuit of excellence and our holistic commitment to ESG drives us to enhance our sustainability efforts. We believe that safeguarding the environment in all aspects of our operations is vital for a sustainable future.

“From our fields to our facilities, Hayleys Plantations is devoted to building a sustainable future for the tea industry. We recognise the substantial untapped potential in this Sector, and we’re driving this transformation through collaborative efforts like the inaugural International Plantations Sustainability Summit held in July 2023.”

The Awards process evaluated KVPL’s annual report and submission, cementing them as the Category Winner for their sharp focus on sustainability.

“Our focus and efforts on aligning our company with a socially responsible strategy came into fruition after we embarked on a multitude of bold initiatives, including our biodiversity assessment, water management, energy management, sustainable forestry and carbon emission quantification, to name a few. In essence, we set local and global benchmarks in our pursuit to ensure we met our social and environmental commitments,” KVPL Director and CEO Anura Weerakoon noted.

“Following the footsteps of its parent company, the Hayleys Group, KVPL launched its own ESG-driven roadmap, KVPL’s Corporate DNA, making its commitment to social and environmental responsibilities through tangible on-ground actions evident,” the release said.

“Making significant strides in environmental stewardship in its pursuit of predetermined, science-based targets, KVPL stands out as the first RPC in the country to embrace the UN CEO Water Mandate, taking responsibility for preserving water bodies within its boundaries. The Kelani Valley Protectors initiative, launched to undertake tree planting and water conservation initiatives, further aligns with the company’s strong commitment to climate neutrality. At the Halgolla Estate, KVPL reported a remarkable 39% increase in biodiversity richness compared to the assessment conducted five years ago. “

KVPL was also the first Sri Lankan company to obtain the Rainforest Alliance certification across all tea estates and FSC certifications for its low-country rubber estates securing the global organic latex certification.

The RPC was the first local plantations company to commit to the United Nations Global Compact’s (UNGC) 10 Principles. Moreover, KVPL also became the first RPC globally to be ranked as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years.

The Hayleys Plantation Sector’s community development initiatives have also been a significant component in KVPL’s social responsibility and corporate sustainability journey, with a key focus on the first of its kind ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’ campaign launched in 2006.

The initiative has ensured that 8,750 plantation workers and their families have been provided with housing facilities uplifting the lives of the community since its inception. The project encompasses the overall quality of life of the community by focusing on four key pillars: Living Environment, Health & Nutrition, Community and Capacity Building, and Empowerment of the Community.



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Constituent Change in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 Index

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The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the following change in S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2026 Mid-Year rebalance.

The exclusion and inclusion as announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices, effective from 22nd June 2026 (after the market close of 19th June 2026) are presented below.

The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalization, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. The constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to a single stock cap of 15%, which is employed to reduce single stock concentration.

The S&P SL 20 index has been designed in accordance with international practices and standards. All stocks are classified according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was co-developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MCSI and is widely used by market participants throughout the world.

To be eligible for inclusion, a stock must have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization of 500 million Sri Lankan rupees (Rs), a six-month median daily value traded of Rs 0.25 million and have positive net income over the 12 months prior to the rebalancing reference date. For information, including the complete methodology, please visit: www.spindices.com

Effective from 22nd June 2026 the stocks in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 in alphabetical order are as above.

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Teejay Group navigates industry headwinds with financial strength and strategic focus

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Teejay Lanka Chairman Ajit Gunewardene and CEO Pubudu De Silva

The Teejay Group recorded revenue of LKR 60.04 billion during the period, reflecting a 10% year-on-year decline, primarily due to continued softness in global textile demand. This performance was largely impacted by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States, intensified pricing pressures across key markets, and the resulting decline in volumes, all of which collectively weighed on topline growth.

Group Gross Profit declined by 36% year-on-year to LKR 5.02 billion, mainly attributable to lower production volumes, underutilization of plant capacity, sustained pricing pressures, and an unfavorable product mix. Together, these factors adversely affected margin performance amid a challenging operating environment.

The Group reported a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 54.7 million, representing a 98% year-on-year decline. This was primarily driven by higher rupee-denominated costs and non-recurring items, provision for doubtful debts, and restructuring costs associated with right-sizing initiatives.

Ajit Gunewardene, Chairman of the Teejay Group said, “The year was marked by persistent global demand softness and pricing pressures, which impacted results. Despite this, we focused on operational efficiency, cost discipline, and strengthening our financial resilience. These actions position the Group to navigate ongoing uncertainty while remaining committed to long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Despite these near-term challenges, the Teejay Group continues to maintain a strong financial position, supported by disciplined working capital management and a robust liquidity base. As at 31 March 2026, cash and cash equivalents stood at LKR 8.3 billion, while the Group’s net asset base increased by 3% year-on-year to LKR 32.4 billion, reinforcing the resilience of its balance sheet.

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Fairfirst celebrates 7 years of supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit

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Fairfirst Insurance has once again partnered with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit, continuing its support for the seventh consecutive year. This partnership reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community.

Through this initiative, Fairfirst will provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the highly trained canines attached to the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit. These dogs play a critical role in supporting police operations across the country, assisting with crime detection, narcotics investigations, search and rescue missions, and public safety efforts.

As a company that believes business should create a meaningful impact beyond insurance, Fairfirst remains committed to initiatives that support communities and recognise the vital contributions of those who help keep society safe. This shared commitment to protection and responsibility continues to drive the company’s long-standing partnership with the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit.

Commenting on the continued partnership, Ravishankar Wickneswaran, CEO of Fairfirst Insurance, said, “It is a privilege for us to continue supporting the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit for the seventh consecutive year. These dogs serve the country with incredible discipline and loyalty, often in challenging situations. Supporting their wellbeing is one small way for us to give back, and it reflects the FairfirstWay of standing by those who protect and serve our communities every day.”

Fairfirst looks forward to continuing this partnership and contributing to the wellbeing of the Sri Lanka Police K9 Unit in the years ahead.

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