Marking 10 years: Olu Tropical Water’s journey of wellness and environmental stewardship

Thursday, 15 August 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rockland Distilleries Group Managing Director Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne

Liquid Island General Manager Shalindri Malawana

Sri Lanka’s first and only locally produced mineral water brand, Olu Tropical Water, proudly reached its 10-year anniversary in Colombo on 24 July, inviting shareholders and stakeholders alike to celebrate this milestone event, commemorating a decade of dedication to consumer wellness, environmental consciousness, and product integrity.

Launched in 2014 as a premium, locally sourced mineral water brand, Olu Water emerged from the aspiring vision of a product that would encapsulate the natural sanctity and heritage of Sri Lanka through purity and sustainability. Sourced from the rare cloud forests of the central highlands, each bottle provides unmatched taste and quality, paralleling the ethos of Sri Lanka.

“As we celebrate this milestone, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been instrumental in our journey”, said Liquid Island General Manager Shalindri Malawana. “Your support and commitment to our vision of sustainability and quality have been the cornerstone of our success. Together, we have not only built a brand, but also a community that values and champions the natural beauty and rich heritage of Sri Lanka.”

The brand, named after the national flower ‘Olu’, symbolises purity and resilience. Over the past decade, Olu Tropical Water has established itself as a pioneer in the South Asian beverage industry by both harnessing Sri Lanka’s unique ecosystems and aligning with global sustainability movements, to create a truly unique yet quintessentially Sri Lankan product.

“Natural Mineral Water, sourced exclusively from natural underground sources or springs, contains higher mineral content and undergoes only a simple filtration, ensuring the purity and countless health benefits that our consumers seek – this is the commitment of Olu

Tropical Water.”

Driven by their commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic pollution, Olu Tropical Water made an overnight shift from PET plastic bottles to glass in January 2019. This shift, though challenging, significantly reduced the environmental burden, preventing over 1 million PET plastic bottles on average from entering the market annually – a transition which has deeply resonated with environmentally conscious consumers.

Olu Water’s sustainability efforts extend beyond packaging, striving to leave a lasting positive impact on Sri Lanka’s ecosystem. Conservation projects include preserving the Central Highland Cloud Forest and protecting the critically endangered hill country leopard in partnership with the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

These initiatives aim to enhance water resource sustainability, create biodiversity corridors, and promote coexistence between humans and wildlife through education and public outreach.