Elpitiya plantations PLC (EPP), a leading plantation company which practices sustainability as one of its core strategy, was awarded Gold at the first ever ‘Green Productivity Awards 2021’ organized by Sri Association for the advancement of Quality and productivity-(SLAAQP). The awards ceremony was recently held at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. The objective of the awards was to recognise organisations engaging in productive enterprises while conserving the finite natural resources and environment. Assessments were based on environmental sustainability, enhanced productivity, sustainable innovation and social contribution.

This is further testimony to EPP’s sustainability journey, making it one of the most sustainable plantations companies in Sri Lanka. Elpitiya Plantations’ holistic sustainability strategy, which centers on the achievement of six long-term environmental, social and economic aspirations, are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals namely, SDG 6- Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7- Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8- Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9- Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, SDG 15- Life on Land and SDG 17- Partnerships for the goals.

For example, we have concerted efforts for emission control, especially through renewable energy generation with hydro and solar recording 141% above the annual electrical energy consumption, sourcing sustainable thermal energy from biomass by planting bamboo and incorporation of organic compost over 4 Million kgs (annually) to improve soil organic matter as well as to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer to bring down  fugitive emissions from chemical fertilizer which is the highest GHG emitter in the industry. We also research on mechanisms to adapt to the impacts of climate change and rolled our efforts such as harvesting rainwater over 254 million liters (annually), and efforts to recharge soil naturally.

Elpitiya Plantations PLC (EPP) has been recognised on multiple platforms and notably on its sustainability initiatives. In 2021 the company was recognised for their ‘Go Green and Beyond’ initiative as one of the best sustainability projects at the prestigious Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2021 organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The visionary leadership from the top management, guidance on sustainability strategy from the sustainability expert Dr. Ravi Fernando and well-executed by a winning team at Elpitiya Plantations has made the company a trailblazer in the industry by also recording its highest profits in the last season while improving the living standard of the community, employees, and all stakeholders. Elpitiya Plantations has continuously adopted sustainable business practices in their daily operations where all aspects of environmental health, economic profitability and social responsibility are given equal importance. EPP remains committed to further improve on its triple bottom line sustainability approach of environmental, social and economic sustainability in the future.

Managed by Aitken Spence Plantation Managements PLC since 1997, Elpitiya Plantations PLC owns 13 estates and 17 factories producing tea and other diversified crops. The company embarked on producing four types of berries in Sri Lanka (strawberry, raspberry, blackberries and blueberries), providing these berries to local consumers with a lower carbon footprint, with strawberries and raspberries currently in commercialisation.

Elpitiya Plantations PLC organised a customised certificate course in Human Resource Management for their plantation welfare officers that was recently completed. The main objective of this was to transform the traditional plantation welfare officer’s role into a HR professional with higher expectations and responsibilities. Elpitiya Plantations PLC is the first Regional Plantations Company (RPC) in Sri Lanka to have implemented a learning programme of this nature.

To recognise these employees, an awarding ceremony was held with the participation of the Managing Director, CEO, senior management members of Elpitiya Plantations PLC and the Chief Human Resources Officer of Aitken Spence PLC.

This will be an ongoing programme, intended to build the relevant skills for capable teams at Elpitiya Plantations estates, of which the first phase was completed. The learning programme was conducted over six months and covered many topics from human resources, organisational planning to information technology (IT). These were identified as crucial focus areas to upskill and inculcate the values of the organisation and moreover to uplift the livelihoods of the plantations’ community.

There were 58 participants and more than 80% of them were female welfare officers. All participants demonstrated determination and passion during the learning module and essentially on learning the outcomes and how it would benefit them in their career. All modules were conducted by an internal or external professional. The programme also covered attitudinal and behavioural competencies to help participants recognise and value the true meaning of their learning and career progression as majority have not progressed beyond basic educational qualification. At the end of each module, all participants faced an evaluation through an examination and a final project on completion of the entire programme.

16 participants received Distinction among the 58 and two participants that scored the highest results were selected based on their presentations made at the end of the training from each region (up and low country regions). They are Ms. P Abilashini from Fernlands Estate (up country) – 90 and Ms. GLP Sanjeewani from Gulugahakanda Estate (low country) – 92 marks.

The upskilled HR teams are appointed at the estate level to carry out new and distinctive HR initiatives with the knowledge and experience they have gained from the programme. Elpitiya Plantations PLC will further evaluate their performance to identify gaps in skills and other proficiencies across their talented teams to ensure they meet the demands of the changing environment.

Managed by Aitken Spence Plantation Managements PLC since 1997, Elpitiya Plantations PLC owns 13 estates and 17 factories producing tea and other diversified crops. The company embarked on producing four types of berries in Sri Lanka (strawberry, raspberry, blackberries and blueberries), providing these berries to local consumers with a lower carbon footprint, with strawberries and raspberries currently in commercialisation.