1 week Ago By Sahan Weerasooriya
The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ECCSL), in collaboration with the Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE) programme, recently hosted its third industry-focused event, bringing together apparel-sector stakeholders to exchange experiences and practical insights on embedding inclusivity and sustainability into business operations. Building on the success of ECCSL’s earlier events focused on tourism and food and agriculture, this apparel-focused gathering convened government representatives, industry leaders, business practitioners and the academia to discuss practical strategies for embedding inclusivity and sustainability into business operations. While many businesses already recognize the importance of these principles, the event emphasized practical implementation, shifting the conversation from the “why” to the “how” of inclusive and sustainable practices.
Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka, discussed how the Government of Sri Lanka is supporting businesses to create social and environmental impact through its Inclusive and Sustainable Business (ISB) Strategy. Ms. Saparamadu outlined how this strategy aims to create a resilient, equitable, and sustainable economy by building an ecosystem in which inclusive and sustainable businesses can thrive, driving transformative change across industries.
The event also featured engaging presentations from leading apparel businesses—Omega Line, Hirdaramani, and Compreli Consulting—each showcasing real-world examples of how inclusivity and sustainability can be embedded into business operations. Omega Line, represented by Saman Jayasinghe (Chief HR Officer, Group – Administration) and Charman Dep (Assistant General Manager – Production Planning), presented its multifaceted sustainability approach, spotlighting its Vavuniya factory as a successful model for combining environmental stewardship with social impact. Hirdaramani’s Manindri Bandaranayake (Chief Brand & Sustainability Officer for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) showcased the company’s holistic sustainability framework, including its Wonders of Wellbeing (WOW) program, policies supporting differently-abled individuals, and deep community engagement.
Finally, Compreli Consulting co-founders Ramesh De Silva and Shehan Olegasageram showcased their innovative garment repair-as-a-service model—a circular, scalable solution that reduces waste and carbon emissions, while aligning with evolving global sustainability regulations. Participants then had the opportunity to share their own knowledge in a group discussion, exchanging experiences and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities encountered in their sustainability journeys. The event underscored the collective benefit of building Sri Lanka’s reputation as a global leader in inclusive and sustainable business.
By fostering collaboration between businesses, the academic community and government stakeholders, the session aimed to accelerate broader industry adoption of these principles and contribute to Sri Lanka’s sustainable economic growth. The discussions were facilitated by the Project Lead of ECCSL’s Inclusive Business Practices project, William Baxter..
