History of Ceylon Tea

Making strategic investments during development emergencies through the UNDP led private sector facility

July 12, Colombo: The ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka calls for immediate assistance for the most vulnerable communities who are severely affected by the medical and food shortage.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka recently launched an ‘Individual and Private Sector Giving Facility for Emergency Relief’ to facilitate interested private sector organizations and individuals to contribute towards procurement of urgent medical supplies and addressing food security needs with Hemas Holdings PLC, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company, Brandix Apparel Limited and Daraz Sri Lanka coming on board to pledge their commitment.

In response, Brandix Apparel Limited has come forward to contribute towards the facility to food security related efforts by partnering to cultivate 500 acres during the mid-season.

An exchange of letters took place today with Mr. Ashroff Omar, Group CEO, Brandix Apparel Limited, and Mr. Robert Juhkam, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka with the participation of Ms. Natasha Boralessa, Group Director, Brandix Apparel Limited, Ms. Malika Samaraweera, Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Brandix Apparel Limited, Mr. Fadhil Bakeer Markar, Policy and Engagement Team Leader, UNDP in Sri Lanka and Mr. Sampath Abeyrathne, Technical Coordinator, Climate and Environment Team, UNDP in Sri Lanka.

The strategic investment of 500 acres of cowpea and mung beans under un-cultivated minor irrigation tanks will help support 1000 vulnerable farmers during the late Yala and mid-season, in the selected areas of Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Mannar, Vavuniya and Trincomalee.