For Sri Lankans, Dilmah is more than tea – it’s heritage in a cup. But behind the familiar aroma lies a philosophy of purpose, compassion, and stewardship, rooted in the words of Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando: “Business is a matter of human service.” This guiding principle drives Dilmah’s commitment to sustainability and conservation.
Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been invited to be Patron of the Water & Ocean Stewardship Working Group of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka – a recognition of decades of environmental leadership.
“Being named Patron amplifies the work that we are already doing,” said Rishan Sampath, Head of Sustainability and Conservation at Dilmah.
But more importantly, it gives us a platform to bring others with us – to build a national conversation, to share tools, and to invite new thinking.
Leading Water Stewardship
Water is life – for tea, ecosystems, and communities. Since 2007, Dilmah has led several initiatives to conserve, restore, and manage water resources. These include:
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Community access to safe drinking water
- Wastewater recycling
- Campaigns against plastic pollution
In 2024/25, Dilmah completed its first water footprint assessment, validated by a third party and aligned with ISO 14046:2014 standards. Some of the highlights were:
- Total direct water footprint: 19,498 m³/year (Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company)
- Municipal water use reduced by 8% YoY
- Wastewater discharge cut by 44%
These results provide a roadmap for smarter, science-based water management.
From Waste to Resource
Dilmah goes beyond measuring water – it reuses and repurposes it. Effluents are treated on-site and reused for landscaping and gardening. Rainwater harvesting systems across the company’s operations have a total capacity of 129,799 m³, reducing reliance on municipal water and safeguarding freshwater for communities.
Expanding to Oceans
Dilmah’s stewardship now reaches Sri Lanka’s oceans and coasts. Key initiatives include:
- Coral conservation at Colombo Port City in partnership with local universities
- Mangrove restoration in Kalpitiya’s Kappal Adi Lagoon, restoring 25 acres of degraded forest with science-based techniques
- Collaborative mangrove projects in Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary
Kayankerni Reef in the East: Dilmah helped DWC conduct underwater sureveys that led to it being gazetted as a marine sanctuary
These projects protect marine biodiversity while strengthening climate resilience and blue carbon ecosystems.
Working Together for Greater Impact
Being part of UNGC Network Sri Lanka allows Dilmah to:
- Align practices with global standards
- Share knowledge with other businesses
- Build collective solutions for water and ocean stewardship
“Our responsibility extends from cloud forests to coral reefs,” says Rishan Sampath, Head of Sustainability and Conservation at Dilmah.
The Road Ahead
Dilmah plans to:
- Expand rainwater harvesting across plantations
- Map fringing coral reefs using drone imagery
- Explore blue carbon ecosystems as carbon sinks and eco-tourism opportunities
Through decades of water stewardship and new marine initiatives, Dilmah continues to safeguard ecosystems, empower communities, and champion ethical business practices – advancing the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles in Sri Lanka.
