Hayleys Group launches ‘Kirulu’ to lead biodiversity conservation efforts

Hayleys PLC Chairman Mohan Pandithage and Hayleys Group Sustainability Head and Chief Financial Officer Choliya de Silva commemorating the launch of the group’s flagship biodiversity conservation initiative, ‘Kirulu’

Hayleys PLC announced the successful completion of Phase I in its flagship biodiversity conservation initiative ‘Kirulu’, focused on restoring biological ecosystems and preserving natural habitats within High Conservation Value Areas (HCVAs).

The project’s first phase led by the Hayleys Plantations sector’s Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL), a driving force of the Group’s historic biodiversity preservation agenda, is focused on ecosystem restorationand maintaining biological corridors across the hill country.

Following an initial tree-planting programme of 1,000 saplings, TTEL will use GPS mapping to analyze ecosystems and ecological behavior at identified sites, and ensure the sustenance of plant nurseries and field projects while monitoring progress through frequent biodiversity assessments.

Hayleys Group CFO and Head of Group Sustainability, Choliya De Silva said, “In August 2021, the UN Report on Climate Change 2021 warned ofa ‘code red for humanity’ highlighting significant environmental disruptions across the globe. 

A month later, the World Economic Forum called out the need for significant work to be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reverse biodiversity loss and invest in renewable energy and 
climate financing.

“Sri Lanka is blessed with rich, vibrant ecosystems. Project Kirulu is our united, integrated commitment as a Group to leverage our business synergies and diverse network of talented sustainability representatives towards protecting these indigenous and threatened species.There is no better time to come together to shape a greener future for our nation and support global biodiversity commitments.” 

The second phase of the project is set to expand biodiversity conservation to adjacent areas of importance, including rainforest reservations and waterfall ecosystems and will see more Hayleys Group companies uniting to drive momentum around 
conservation efforts.