HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS LANKA
Q: What does sustainability mean for your company – and how does it align with your core business strategy?
A: At Hutch, sustainability goes beyond a standalone initiative; it is a long-term mindset that shapes how we operate, educate the public, innovate and grow as a responsible corporation.
Hutch’s sustainability journey is guided by the CK Hutchison Group Sustainability Framework with priorities mapped to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These priorities are strategically aligned under four key pillars: governance; sustainable business model and innovation; environmental responsibility; and social impact.
By embedding sustainability into our core business strategy, we ensure that decisions across network planning, products, customer interactions, retail design, business processes, trade activities, staff skilling, and diversity and inclusion support responsible and inclusive growth for the company, which in turn cascades to the country.
Q: How do you balance short-term profitability with long-term sustainable outcomes?
A: In the long-term, business survival will depend on the sustainable practices adopted today. In developed markets, sustainability is central to business success, and organisations that fail to embrace it struggle to maintain their reputation and competitiveness.
It is only a matter of time in Sri Lanka as well. As more organisations place greater emphasis on sustainability and the public becomes more aware of the scope of sustainability practices that improve their lives – and those of their children, grandchildren and generations beyond – people will begin to shift their habits and purchasing choices towards organisations that are future proofing for a sustainable future.
Our sustainability journey is anchored in the 3Ps concept – people, planet and profit – which determines how we make decisions across the organisation to drive transformative impact.
While some sustainability initiatives involve higher upfront costs, we view these as long-term investments rather than expenses. At Hutch, we weigh in on sustainability initiatives not only as optional but to deliver value beyond simply immediate financial returns.
Q: What specific targets and actions does your organisation have towards sustainability and reducing carbon footprint?
A: We have a range of programmes that span our sustainability pillars and go beyond the common perception of carbon footprint reduction. On the environmental front, we have implemented numerous initiatives to address climate change, protect natural resources and promote the circular economy.
For instance, we have adopted renewable energy at telecom sites that operate off-grid and transformed our network into a high energy efficiency network function virtualisation (NFV) setup. We actively promote responsible e-waste management through collection points at our brand shops for the safe recycling of aged and damaged devices.
In addition, we conduct reforestation projects and coastal restoration activities. Our latest initiative is the roll out of our premier signature brand shops where internal spaces are produced using 90 percent repurposed material – a first of its kind concept that reflects our broader ambition to rethink and redesign how we operate.
Under sustainable business models and innovation, we focus on operational optimisation and strategic partnerships that avoid duplication of resources and enhance economic efficiency.
Our product innovations are designed to deliver convenience, security and peace of mind including the ONELOAD annual subscription plan, international roaming plans bundled with free travel insurance, safe and guided internet services for children, and fully digitalised self-onboarding and account management through e-SIM technology.
From a social perspective, we are an equal opportunity employer, promoting diversity and inclusion, learning and employer wellbeing. In 2025, we were recognised under the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Great HR Awards and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Nation Best Employer Awards recognition programmes. We also conduct year-round employee engagement initiatives and welfare improvement programmes.
On the community front, we invest in supporting education by installing computer labs in rural schools, and – in collaboration with the Ministry of Education – providing e-bikes to teachers and students who lack proper transportation to access education.
We also extend disaster relief support to help communities get back on their feet during difficult times. Our governance framework is anchored in ethical practices, digital responsibility, supply chain engagement and transparent reporting to our international parent.
Q: How do you measure the social impact of your company’s sustainability initiatives?
A: We view social impact through a focus on outcomes and long-term value creation aligned with our pillars, rather than limiting measurement to activity based metrics alone.
For outcome based measurement, we track indicators such as access enabled (including first time digitally connected communities), digital commerce penetration, the number of individuals upskilled, fossil energy displaced and the extent of environmental conservation.
We also gather stakeholder and beneficiary feedback from customers, employees, distribution partners, retail partners and communities. These inputs are assessed alongside core business performance to evaluate how initiatives contribute to sustainable market expansion, brand trust, partner stability and ecosystem health.
Q: What are your organisation’s plans going forward?
A: Guided by our reporting and governance frameworks, our aim is to continuously strengthen long-term business resilience while driving greater social impact, integrating sustainability across wider areas that open new frontiers in our innovation journey and promote responsible growth.
As we expand our network, introduce new digital offerings, widen our retail footprint and power our role as a key player driving Sri Lanka’s digital economy, sustainability will remain a core decision making lens guiding critical actions.
– Compiled by Tamara Rebeira
COMPANY DETAILS
Telephone 1788 | Email cs@hutchison.lk | Website www.hutch.lk
