Dilmah Partners Stand by Sri Lanka after Natural Disaster
For the past eight years, the festive season has held a special tradition for Dilmah, marked by the annual visit of our dedicated partners from Japan – the Tokai Co-op – Consumers Cooperative and our distributor, Waltz & Co.
This enduring relationship goes beyond business. Every year, the teams make the long trip to Sri Lanka to visit our Kahawatte Plantations in the hilly Nawalapitiya region. Their mission is simple yet heartwarming: to gift over 70 preschoolers from our tea garden families with brand new school bags and essential school supplies, ensuring they are well-equipped for the coming academic year.
Kindness in the Face of Disaster
The planned trip this December, marking the eighth consecutive year of their commitment, coincided with one of the most challenging periods Sri Lanka has faced recently followed Cyclone Ditwah. It devastated parts of Sri Lanka, especially the hill country, the very region where our plantations are located.
Despite the severe disruptions, our friends from the Tokai Co-op and Waltz & Co. stood firm. They refused to cancel their travel plans, demonstrating a profound dedication that truly defines the spirit of partnership and compassion.
What was intended as a gesture of back-to-school cheer quickly transformed into a vital lifeline for hundreds of families affected by the disaster. The promised gift of school bags and supplies for the children of the plantation became essential relief items, helping those who had lost everything to the floods and landslides.
Lending a Hand Beyond the Estates
While they were unable to visit the estates due to the severe weather and safety concerns, the Tokai Co-op and Waltz & Co. teams immediately pivoted their efforts. They spent their time at the MJF Foundation Centre in Moratuwa, rolling up their sleeves and lending a crucial hand to our relief operations. They assisted to pack rations and humanitarian aid to be urgently sent to the families most in need across the affected regions.
This visit, during one of the country’s most challenging moments, underscored a powerful truth: the strongest friendships are those based on shared kindness and unwavering support. Their commitment to the communities that produce Dilmah tea, even when the path was difficult, is a beautiful testament to the humanitarian heart of our partnership.
