“Gunadamin” Elephant House, the CSR brand of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, has taken steps to immediately facilitate a daily meal programme for children at the Ranala Adarsha Kanishta Vidyalaya, located in proximity to the Elephant House factories, providing 600 nutritious meals daily to schoolchildren. The programme commenced in August 2022 and will continue for a period of 1 year, with the menu specifications being in line with the Government School Meal Programme under the Ministry of Education. This initiative by “Gunadamin” Elephant House supports the efforts of John Keells Foundation’s “Pasal Diriya” school meals programme.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Daminda Gamlath, President – Consumer Foods Sector at John Keells Holdings said, “At Ceylon Cold Stores and indeed across the John Keells Group, we are very concerned about the ongoing food security  concerns. Thus, we have pledged our support to the Group-wide “Pasal Diriya” initiative to provide meals to schoolchildren. We have taken a crucial initial step by making 600 nutritious meals available each day for the children and, in line with the “Pasal Diriya” model, we are also working to develop school kitchens for the purpose of supplying meals, so this can be accomplished onsite. Elephant House,  a trusted local brand, with a heritage dating as far back as 1866, has a strong connection with Sri Lankans, and we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment towards doing our part to help the nation at this challenging juncture.”

In view of the present economic crisis in Sri Lanka, which is negatively impacting food security, the John Keells Group’s response is designed to address immediate needs in the short term and offer viable solutions over the long term, whilst addressing critical educational needs of children and youth. In this endeavour, John Keells Foundation – the Group’s CSR entity – recently partnered with the Ministry of Education, to support and expand on the Government’s School Meal Programme in identified locations. The ‘Pasal Diriya’ programme is modelled to include the provision of funds for the preparation and distribution of meals for students not covered under the existing government school meal programme, to construct or equip a kitchen facility within the school premises where possible, and to strengthen the network of the respective schools involved in the preparation and distribution of meals under the Government’s School Meal Programme.

Elephant House is a legendary brand with strong brand recognition and nostalgia synonymous with over 150 years of heritage and trust. Elephant house is a trusted household staple brand, loved and embraced by consumers, enabling the brand to widen its product portfolio and offerings. The organisation has engaged in several initiatives to improve their business practices and encourage protection and preservation of the environment and community wellness.   

Ceylon Cold Stores Ltd (Elephant House) is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka's premier diversified company in the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. IJKH provides employment to over 14,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for the last 17 Years by LMD Magazine. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.

Elephant House together with Cleantech, recently partnered to operate another Material Recovery Facility (MRF) ” to further promote recycling and better plastic waste management practices across the country.

Located in Western Province, this recyclable Plastic Collection Centre is equipped with dedicated transport and service personnel to collect post-consumption recyclable plastic from collection points. The Centre will also have machinery investments to transform the collected plastic into value added plastic waste to supply to the recyclers in the country.

Commenting on the launch of the Centre, John Keells Group Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Consumer Foods Industry Nelindra Fernando, said, “In today’s world we need to focus on sustainable projects that will benefit society and the environment. Through this project, we aim to promote good practices for our consumers while providing a feasible solution. Together with Gunadamin Elephant House, partnering with Cleantech, we hope to provide our consumers a valuable service and reduce the plastic pollution.”

“Investing in a MRF to collect recyclable plastic collection, a project funded by Ceylon Cold Stores PLC is a joint effort to bring together key stakeholders in our shared vision to reduce plastic pollution in Sri Lanka. Collectors of recyclable plastic waste play an integral role in a circular economy and need to be supported to expand their infrastructure, capacity and reach,” commented Kasun Karunanayake - Head of Circular Economy Services Cleantech Pvt Ltd.  “We are delighted to partner with Elephant House in this journey” he further added.

Elephant House is a legendary brand with strong brand recognition and nostalgia synonymous with over 150 years of heritage and trust. Elephant house is a trusted household staple brand, loved and embraced by consumers, enabling the brand to widen its product portfolio and offerings. The organisation has engaged in several initiatives to improve their business practices and encourage protection and preservation of the environment and community wellness.

Gunadamin Elephant House is the CSR brand of Elephant House that encapsulates all initiatives that are carried out primarily for the greater good of the society.  This project is a part of Waste Management pillar which, collectively with the two other pillars of Community and Sustainable Sourcing makes up the whole of Gunadamin Elephant House.

Elephant House and Keells Krest will once again proudly support the world’s second longest uninterrupted school cricket encounter, the Royal-Thomian “Battle of the Blues” Big Match as the official “Food, Beverage and Ice Cream Partner” for 2022.

This year the much awaited 143^rd annual inter-school encounter between Royal College and St Thomas’ College will be held from 21^st – 23^rd July at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds, Maitland Place.

Being on board as long-standing sponsors, Elephant House and Keells Krest housed under the John Keells Holding Consumer Foods Sector, have continuously catered to meet the requirements and standard of the large crowds that had flocked the cricket grounds to catch a glimpse of the action whilst reconnecting with their alumni.

Backed by over 150 years of company tradition Elephant House, a household brand name, continues on its mission of providing high - quality refreshing products to all Sri Lankans. The wide portfolio of thirst-quenching beverages and delightfully refreshing ice creams including Imorich, the premier range, adds transcending enjoyment to the celebration of this joyous event of sportsmanship and camaraderie, enhancing the experience of ‘goodness of life’.

KEELLS KREST the proven market leader in the processed meat industry for over three decades, offers a delightful product range renowned for great taste and wholesome goodness that is truly loved by all Sri Lankans.

Both Elephant House and Keells Krest are proud to be associated with this legendary cricket encounter which will beyond doubt continue to create a strong partnership of immense trust and value.