Driving sustainable green initiatives to fight against climate change and generate long-term value for Sri Lanka

-SLT-MOBITEL Marks World Environment Day 2022 at HQ

-Successfully concludes 5th Mee Tree planting Programme at Meerigama

Colombo, June 6, 2022 : Committed to driving sustainable Environmental Social Governance programs (ESG), to fight against climate change, SLT-MOBITEL marked the world environment day by concluding its 5th Mee tree planting initiative at Meerigama. SLT-MOBITEL embarked on this national level Tree planting initiative with an aim to improve the quality of air, promote forestation, natural carbon sinks and reduce greenhouse gases and safeguard biodiversity across multiple areas in the country. Driving the true spirit of sustainability, SLT-MOBITEL understands the intrinsic importance of a greener earth, the direct benefits of healthy plants on human health and wellbeing and the need to restore nature, halting and reversing climate change to sustain humanity for generations to come.

Launched under the theme ‘Let's nourish the country with clean air and fertilizer’ ‘රට පුරා හුස්මයි පොහොරයි වගා කරමු’ brings into focus the critical importance of preserving eco-fragility for collective well-being.

The ‘Mee’ tree was chosen considering believes its contribution to pest control, ability to be used in the production of organic fertilizer, capacity to purify air and its use as a medicinal plant. To-date SLT-MOBITEL have distributed and planted over 1000 trees across locations including Monaaragala, Umandawa, Anuradhapura, and Kandy.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually in June and recognised as the United Nations’ principal amplifier to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. To commemorate the event, SLT-MOBITEL organised an internal event at the headquarters where employees of SLT-MOBITEL received plants. Further, the company also successfully concluded its 5th Mee tree planting programme at the Seth Sevana Elders home in Meerigama. Strengthening the programme, SLT-MOBITEL is working hand in hand with local communities, and grassroots organisations providing opportunities for tangible change and collective action.

For SLT-MOBITEL, planting Mee trees is not only about a cure to save the ecosystem and environment but also part of a strategic framework to integrate environmentally conscious business practices, strong social responsibility, and corporate governance aspects.

As the National ICT Solutions Provider, SLT-MOBITEL, has a strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitment measuring and managing its impacts on society and the environment in an efficient and responsible manner. Under its ESG protocols, the Mee Tree programme seeks to improve the environment and empower communities across Sri Lanka. The Mee Tree drive in addition to improving air quality and mitigating climate change, also promotes better pest control, healthier soil and aims to enhance natural humidity. A notable feature of the programme is governance through KPI’s including geo tagging the plants and their ownership. Using modern technology, the 'THURU' mobile application is used to monitor the progress of the project.

Broadening its environmental stewardship, SLT-MOBITEL also engages in other initiatives such as e-Waste reduction and minimising its carbon footprint. Responsible waste management is repeatedly conducted through re-use and recycling while ongoing concerted efforts ensure reducing the carbon footprint of the organisation and of customers.