• Winning case studies will foster knowledge sharing and skills development
• First management symposium in Sri Lankan plantations industry and corporate sphere
• Theme: Innovative Business Thinking and Applications

Heralded as a first-of-its kind event for the Sri Lankan plantations industry and local corporates, Hayleys Plantations hosted its inaugural Management Symposium, showcasing powerful new innovations and best practices developed by its estate teams in response to historic recent challenges.

The symposium, a common practice within academic and scientific circles, was the culmination of a structured programme launched across 60 estates and its teams across the island, by the HR division of the Hayleys Plantations Sector. Encouraging a research-driven scientific mindset, teams were tasked with compiling data and case studies around real-world problem solving, backed by sound scientific and economic methodologies.

The event was attended by Hayleys Group top management and prominent industry stakeholders. The key note address was delivered by respected academic, Senior Professor Buddhi Marambe, from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya who reiterated the importance of the private sector investing in research and development.

Commending Hayleys Plantations for the efforts taken, Prof. Marambe also spoke of the value of partnerships between corporates and emerging agri-tech pioneers, in driving the integration of next-gen technologies.

“We have seen our teams showcase powerful examples of innovative thinking, demonstrating their achievements amidst unprecedented challenges – a first in 150 years of our industry’s history. Grounded in science and evidence-based problem solving, these case studies can support a more sustainable and prosperous future for Sri Lanka’s plantation industry, and for over 1 million Sri Lankans connected to it,” Hayleys Plantations Managing Director, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said.

Held under the theme ‘Innovative Business Thinking and Applications’, the symposium recognised the Top 10 projects / success stories with 3 Company level Winners, one from each of the Hayleys Plantations companies and the ‘Best of the Best’ Overall Winner. Awards were presented to estate teams for high impact initiatives covering triple bottom line areas such as worker happiness, increases in quality, use of renewable energy, innovative eco-friendly solutions, maximising land utilisation and increasing the professionalism of tea harvesters.

A panel of 7 judges, led by Dr. Samantha Rathnayake, PIM Senior Management Consultant and Faculty Member, scored submissions based on value-adding potential, innovation and creativity deployed.

The waste water management system set in place by the Dunedin Skim Rubber Processing Factory was recognised as the best presented project by Kelani Valley Plantations PLC and was also crowned the ‘Best of the Best’ Overall Winner at the Symposium. The estate team reduced the usage of waste water generation by 50% with an ROI within just five working days after the new system was put in place.

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC’s Bearwell Estate was awarded the ‘Best of the Best’ company level winner, for its green leaf zipline transportation project which reduced the cost of transportation, contributed to productivity, health and well-being of employees, and reduced the estate’s fuel consumption and carbon footprint.

Horana Plantations PLC’ Fairlawn Estate was recognised as the company level winner, for its weed buyback scheme. Established during the fertiliser crisis, the initiative offered estate employees additional income for removing weeds, which were then sold to the estate and used as the main input for home-made organic fertiliser.