Placing Sri Lanka on the Global Map through Sustainable, Premium Brands

Marking a decade as Sri Lanka’s premier brand of Natural Mineral Water

By Shalindri Malawana
Olu Water was recognized as the Gold Award winner for factory operations and processes at the National Industry Excellence Awards, 2023

As Sri Lanka continues to emerge as a tourism destination, it is imperative that we leverage our unique offerings to attract discerning travelers from around the globe. While focus is given to major export industries like spices, tea, and apparel, there is untapped potential in the beverage industry. As a decade-old brand, we strive to become a game changer, which is how the journey of Olu Water began.

By harnessing the unique ecosystem of Sri Lanka, which includes part of the world’s rare cloud forests, we have always believed in aligning with the global movement towards sustainability and have embarked on a path to become a pioneer in South Asia’s beverage industry.

Olu Tropical Water’s ‘Leopard Edition’ aims to support the preservation of the Hill Country Leopard in partnership with The Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust

The vision behind Sri Lanka’s first mineral water

When we conceived Olu Water a decade ago, the idea of a premium, locally sourced mineral water brand was novel. The Sri Lankan market prior to 2014 had only imported mineral water brands and the market for high-quality, locally produced mineral water was virtually non-existent. The challenge was clear: we needed to create a product that not only matched the quality of these international brands but also resonated with the ethos of Sri Lanka.

Our vision was to offer a product that embodies purity and sustainability, reflecting the natural beauty and rich heritage of our island. Olu Tropical Water originates from the rare cloud forests located in the central highlands, a unique ecosystem that comprises 1% of the world’s woodlands covering only an estimated 0.14% of the earth’s land. This exceptional source provides natural mineral water that is unmatched in taste and quality, embodying the integrity that we wanted Olu Tropical Water to represent.

Another challenge we had was educating the consumer on the difference between natural mineral water and bottled drinking water. The fact is, natural mineral water differs from bottled drinking water in several keyways: it comes from natural underground sources or springs and is bottled at the source, containing a higher and more defined mineral content, including minerals like calcium and magnesium, while bottled drinking water often has many of these minerals removed during treatment.

Furthermore, natural mineral water undergoes minimal processing, only allowing treatments like aeration and simple sand & carbon filtration, while bottled drinking water can go through various treatments, including UV treatment and chlorination. These differences contribute to the purity associated with natural mineral water.

Shalindri Malawana, General Manager of Liquid Island

Changing trajectory and embracing new

In November 2018, we made a bold decision to shift from PET plastic bottles to glass. This move was driven by our commitment to sustainability and our desire to align with the global movement against plastic pollution. The transition was not without its challenges. It required significant financial investment and logistical adjustments, but it was a necessary step in our journey towards becoming an eco-friendly brand.

With Olu giving up plastic bottles since 2019, approximately 230,000 kilograms of plastic have been prevented from entering the Sri Lankan market.

This change has not only reduced our environmental footprint but also resonated with our consumers who are increasingly aware of the impact of plastic on the planet. While we did face some resistance due to the higher price and handling difficulties, the overarching support we received from our customers was overwhelming only motivating us further to see the transition through.

In August 2019, we embarked on another daring initiative when launching Sri Lanka’s first sparkling water. Sparkling water is traditionally a European concept, often enjoyed during dining experiences as an appetite suppressant and a palate cleanser. Introducing it to the Sri Lankan market was a strategic move to cater to the tastes of international travelers while offering locals a new, premium product experience.

Building a Brand with a Story

Brands need more than just packaging; they need a story that is authentically compelling. Olu Tropical Water’s story is deeply rooted in the heritage and natural beauty of Sri Lanka. The name ‘Olu’ comes from the national flower, which symbolizes purity and resilience, mirroring the journey of our brand. Furthermore our packaging is designed to be elegant and understated.

Brands have the power to attract you, to move you and draw emotional connections. Recently we noted a growing movement within the local community on social media, where our glass bottles are being resold and upcycled. We are truly humbled as this contributes to a circular economy and serves as a testament to the power of captivating design and storytelling in reaching wider audiences.

As Sri Lanka’s first natural mineral water, Olu Tropical Water originates from the rare cloud forests located in the central highlands

Supporting wildlife and fauna

While we’ve made significant strides in reorienting Liquid Island’s trajectory, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond glass bottles. Our conservation efforts in partnership with WWCT under the banner of “Corridors for Conservation” is aimed at preserving and restoring the Central Highland Cloud Forest in Sri Lanka whilst protecting the Hill Country Leopard have become passion projects. The project aims to establish wildlife corridors for safe movement and genetic diversity, conduct research, protect habitats, and promote coexistence between humans and leopards through education and public outreach.

We have seen the importance of preserving the rapidly depleting cloud forest firsthand. By reviving these fragile ecosystems through planting native tree species, managing invasive species, and creating biodiversity corridors to connect fragmented forests, we aim to enhance water resource sustainability.

Supporting robust wildlife projects is costly and challenging. To aid this effort, we created the Olu ‘Leopard Edition,’ where each bottle sold contributes directly to this project.

By offering a premium product that aligns with global sustainability trends, we are helping to place Sri Lanka on the map. Our journey with Olu Water demonstrates that with vision, commitment, and a strong brand story, we can make a significant impact on both our local community and the global market.