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Geocycle, the professional waste management solutions provider inaugurated Geo Responsibility Awards in 2011, to recognise industries that practice best environmental management systems and popularising sustainable waste management amongst the industrial community.
Lankem Ceylon PLC Director/COO Damith Vitharana accepted the award on behalf of Lankem. “At Lankem, economic consideration does not take priority over environmental and safety standards, As Sri Lankan’s leading chemical company, we are committed towards maintaining best environment practices,” said Vitharana
Earlier on this year, Lankem Agro was the recipient of the prestigious Cleaner Production (CP) Bronze Award in the medium category, and was further felicitated with a Special Award for Excellence Performance in Water Efficiency. The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC ) was established in 2002 by UNIDO. Their aim is to assist industries to operate more efficiently with minimum harm to the environment.
Cleaner Production (CP) also known as Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) is the tool promoted by NCPC to assist industries to achieve this goal. As a member of the global network of UNIDO/UNEP Cleaner Production Centres, NCPC-SL works closely with UNIDO and UNEP to promote the adaptation and adoption of resource efficient and cleaner production methods, technologies and systems by enterprises and other organisations in the country.
Being pioneers in the agro chemical industry in Sri Lanka, Lankem has remained the undisputed market leader over the past decades, showing sure signs of commitment to pioneering development in this field. The factory which was initially located in Ekala was the recipient of several Merit Awards such as the National Quality Award, National Safety Award, Industrial Safety Award and an Silver Award from NCPC to name a few. The subsequent relocation of their factory under the ‘Gamata Karmantha – Mahinda Chinthana’ program has them furnished in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in the Makandura Industrial Zone.
Vitharana added: “Cleaner production is not only motivated by environmental imperatives but also makes economic sense as it increases production efficiency while minimising waste and emissions, over the years we have maintained world class standards by continuously improving product quality standards, environmental standards, health and safety of our staff, we are aware that quality, environment and safety are of the utmost importance in this field as we continuously strive to push forward. We are the first agrochemical company to be accredited with three important certifications namely ISO 9001-2008 for Quality Management System, ISO 14001-2004 for Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001-2005 for Occupational and Safety Management System. Our factory team is highly committed in maintaining the highest quality, safety and environmental standards and we are very proud of our team for their dedication.”
He also stated that the company objective was not purely based on maintaining market leadership but to provide innovative crop protection solutions for the farming community, to enhance their agricultural productivity. “We aim to provide returns to all our stakeholders – our customers, our staff, our principals and our investors.”
Growth aligned with multi-person benefits are the core aim of the company. Lankem Agro also heavily focuses on research and development activities, health and safety, training and skilled development to drive forward growth.
“Over the past 50 long years, Lankem has been the leading agricultural input provider for sustainable agriculture and food security in Sri Lanka. We are a company with a strong research and development orientation, linked to the farmer community to transfer the latest knowledge and technology to achieve self-sufficiency in food in Sri Lanka,” said Vitharana.
