Biodiversity Sri Lanka Celebrates 10 years of business-driven biodiversity action, with Dilmah among its founding partners
This year, Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) marked its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of bringing together businesses, scientists, and policymakers to protect Sri Lanka’s unique natural heritage. Co-created by IUCN, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and Dilmah Tea, BSL started as the Business and Biodiversity platform in 2012 and became BSL in 2015 – making Sri Lanka the first country after Japan to establish a corporate-led biodiversity platform.
A Milestone Celebration
BSL’s 10-year milestone was commemorated through the Annual Technical Sessions (24th October) and the Annual General Meeting (26th October), reflecting on past achievements and looking forward to the next decade of action.
Aban Marker Kabraji, Senior Regional Advisor on Climate and Environment, UNEP ROAP said:
“I was there at the creation of Biodiversity Sri Lanka, I know how much the Dilmah Family led it. All I can say is you showed us the way, and I thank you for it.”
A Growing Network
Since its inception, BSL has expanded to nearly 100 member organisations across sectors including manufacturing, tourism, IT, and finance. Its flagship LIFE Series drives multi-stakeholder projects restoring and protecting Sri Lanka’s most threatened ecosystems. Projects include:
- Restoration of Kanneliya Conservation Forest and Anawilundawa Mangrove Sanctuary
- Managing coastal plastic pollution across 130 km of shoreline
- Coral reef rehabilitation
- Restoring areas in Lunugamwehera National Park impacted by invasive species
Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
The Annual Technical Sessions featured keynote addresses from Rohan Pethiyagoda, renowned biodiversity scientist, and Prof. Madhu Verma,Environmental Economist and Policy Analyst emphasizing corporate action and valuing nature in economic decision-making.
Breakout sessions focused on themes such as plastic reduction initiatives, AI & nature for enriched experiences, biodiversity in agriculture and plantations and aligning business strategy with nature
New Leadership and Strategy
At the AGM, Chairperson Dilhan C. Fernando shared progress updates, announced a new Board of Directors, and unveiled BSL’s new logo and strategy, structured around five pillars under L.I.F.E.
These pillars focus on:
- Landscape restoration
- Community benefits
- Sustainable resource use
- Partnerships bridging business, science, and policy
“Through our LIFE Series and science-led restoration programmes, BSL is pioneering private-public-people collaborations that go beyond tree planting to deliver resilient landscapes, thriving wildlife, and shared prosperity,” said Dilhan C. Fernando.
Looking Ahead
In today’s global context, sustainability is no longer optional. BSL supports companies to go beyond compliance, embedding sustainability into core strategies and reducing their impact on climate change, pollution, and resource depletion.
