Rockland Corporate Responsibility, 160/24, Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05, Nawala (2026)

28/04/2026

In commemoration of Earth Day 2026, OLU WATER, under RDL Corporate Responsibility, partnered with the NLDB Sri Lanka (National Livestock Development Board) to implement a targeted site rehabilitation initiative at an NLDB Manikpalama farmland opposite Haritha Kanda, Bopaththalawa. The actioned NLDB site is not a protected area but remains ecologically significant within the broader cloud forest landscape. Our prior assessments conducted in 2025 across the landscape indicated that approximately 67% of a 32Ha mapped area was under moderate to severe invasive species pressure. Also, the increased visitor activities during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period further contributed to non-biodegradable waste accumulation at the site.
A rapid pre-intervention biodiversity assessment was conducted in the demarcated site to identify the presence of any threatened species requiring safeguards. As no such species were recorded within, the actions followed. The restorations preliminary phase therefore proceeded with a combined focus on non-biodegradable solid waste removal and invasive species management. Target species included Austroeupatorium inulifolium and Cymbopogon nardus. Removal was conducted using mechanized support, including a Harrow–Trailing and rotavator uprooting, (under the direct supervision of NLDB farm management) which followed by manual collection. Overall, the action occurred in the least infested invasive plant available land (4.89 Ha) as a pilot area to test restoration possibility.
A total of 26 participants, including NLDB personnel and Team Olu, contributed to the intervention. Uprooted biomass was systematically collected for composting, minimizing secondary ecological disturbance while facilitating nutrient recycling. The project will follow native grass introduction at the second phase. This activity functioned as a stepping stone in ecological response to address Biological Pollution (our theme to the 2026 financial year) within a broader restoration framework. This also enables community driven action in non-protected highland ecosystem.
EarthDay.org

02/04/2026

We are shifting from restoration to proactive biosecurity
under our 2026 theme "Prevent Biological Pollution“. With
our research at Bopaththalawa, this years strategy
recognizes invasive species as a self replicating pollutant
that threatens the DNA of Sri Lanka’s highlands. We are
strategically aligning with the UN International Year of
Rangelands (IYRP 2026) to protect our rare Montane
habitats from biological encroachment. By securing these
high altitude water towers, we ensure the hydrological
integrity of the island's most vital watersheds. Through
science led action and community partnership, we are
moving beyond cleaning up to ensure a
future for both wildlife and local livelihoods. Our 2026
mandate is clear: protect the source by stopping the spread.
Do join us; we welcome partners and researchers to join our
Montane habitat defense.
Let’s protect the source together.

13/02/2026

OLU WATER was happy to be a part of the massive lagoon and surrounding cleanup campaign organized by Clean Ocean Force and NDB in Negombo lagoon.

28/01/2026

Where young roots grow beside recovering forests 🌱

As the new kindergarten year commenced, OLU WATER gifted a set of learning kits to the children of the Manik Palama Kindergarten - a small yet vital establishment providing early education in the Bopaththalawa cloud forest restoration landscape. While we were on-site facilitating the establishment of the forest fire prevention belt, we felt it was equally important to recognize the youngest stakeholders of this landscape.

This year, the kindergarten has only six children. With this simple gesture, our intention was not scale, but sincerity; to encourage curiosity, learning and confidence and to make a smile on each child’s face!

Community-based ecological restoration is always about people as much as ecosystems, care, opportunity and encouragement. An early age child is therefore inseparable from building a resilient future for both forests and the communities that coexist within~

27/01/2026

OLU WATER successfully established a 1.3 km fire prevention belt at the Bopaththalawa cloud forest restoration site as a proactive measure to prevent human-induced fires from entering the managed restoration landscape. During the cold and dry conditions observed in January, ground temperatures declined by approximately 3.5 °C, resulting in frost damage and physiological burn across both invasive and native vegetation. This cold–dry phase accelerated vegetation dieback, increasing surface fuel loads and continuity, thereby elevating the risk of locally induced forest fires. The fire belt now functions as an effective firebreak while also serving as a local access route connecting the Bogawanthalawa and Haritha Kanda areas. By integrating direct community benefits with improved site protection and rapid response capacity, this involvement delivered multiple outcomes through a single preventive action. The activity was implemented with the participation of the local community, facilitated and coordinated by Olu Water, highlighting the critical role of community-led corporate action in safeguarding cloud forest.

22/12/2025

We successfully conducted a Waste to Design awareness and creative design workshop for 19 youth participants from the Vocational Training Authority – Ahangama, hosted by Dickwella Resort and Spa (by Browns Hotels & Resorts) in collaboration with Earthlanka. The program began with an interactive classroom session, introducing participants to marine pollution, the sources and impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems. This session aimed to build environmental awareness while encouraging creative thinking around sustainability and waste reduction.
Following this, participants took part in an observation visit to the Kudawella Fisheries Harbor, where they directly observed pollution hotspots and waste accumulation linked to inland activities and fisheries operations. This field visit also served as a raw material sourcing exercise, helping youth identify discarded materials that could be reimagined through design and art.
The workshop concluded back at the resort with a conceptual design session, where participants transformed their observations into creative drawings and design ideas, laying the foundation for future artworks created from marine waste. Through this hands-on experience, the program empowered youth to connect environmental issues with creativity, encouraging them to view waste not as a problem alone, but as a resource for innovation and artistic expression.

23/10/2025

Citizen Science Workshop by the Forestry and Environmental Science Society actioned parallel to empowering students for the upcoming 30th International Forestry and Environment Symposium was a great success. The session brought together over 50 students to explore how to design and launch citizen science research projects addressing real-world environmental issues such as human–wildlife conflict, plastic pollution & recycling, action for biodiversity and carbon footprint assessment. Participants gained first-hand knowledge, collaborative ideas and actionable pathways to make a tangible environmental impact through science-driven community engagement. Prof. Upul Subasinghe (Senior Professor and Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura) and Prof. Hiran Amarasekera (Senior Professor and former Head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Patron of the Young Biologists’ Association) graced the occasion. From OLU WATER, Palinda Perera, Specialist Corporate Responsibility at RDL (and Senior Advisor Young Biologists' Association) conducted an engaging session on Citizen Science Ideas and Environmental Research Development, inspiring participants to drive community-based scientific action. We are glad to be a part of this initiative sharing knowledge of our own conservation action and to empower the younger generation.

14/10/2025

The international Water Quality Solutions for Coastal Habitats workshop happened in Nadi from 6th to 10th October. It was great to work together on solutions to tackle marine pollution affecting coastal habitats with leading researchers and solution providers across the world.
Hosted by Cefas, Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform, Wildlife Conservation Society and The Nature Conservancy, the workshop brought together global experts to develop innovative water quality solutions.
Key outcomes include creating a roadmap document on water quality and developing of a coastal pollution toolkit that are essential work under the Ocean Decade Program – Nutrient Pollution Global Action Network (NP-GAN).

Palinda; Specialist Corporate Responsibility at RDL representing OLU WATER and Rockland White Rum took part in the initiative showcasing two of our flagship brands collaborating together to create the "Ridge to Reef" concept preserving water, preventing future climate driven water scarcity and protecting our reef ecosystems from pollution.

We would also like to acknowledge our long term environmental partners Earthlanka, Clean Ocean Force and Young Biologists' Association for their commitment and unwavering efforts in protecting our environment.

UN Ocean Decade

26/09/2025

🏆🥇🏅
We are happy to announce that two of our Corporate Responsibility initiatives:
"Restoring Sri Lanka’s Central Highland Cloud Forests in Bopaththalawa: A Nature-Based Fiscal Strategy for Climate Adaptation and Water Security" (from OLU WATER)
and
"ALDFG and Single-Use Plastics Based Marine Pollution Prevention in Sri Lanka: A Case Study from Rockland Corporate Responsibility" (from Rockland White Rum)

were excepted as full papers at International Conference on Plastics, Innovations and Environmental Sustainability (ICPIES) 2025.

Also best The Best Presenter Award in the theme: Climate Action, Computational Modelling and Environmental Sustainability was secured by Palinda for OLU WATER research conducted on cloud forest restoration~

22/07/2025

OLU WATER is happy to collaborate on a youth awareness program for local students of Batheegama Maha Vidyalaya for a day of learning and hands-on action at the scenic Dickwella Resort by Browns Hotels & Resorts. Coordinated by Earthlanka and Olu Water, the program (at the hotels Sea Turtle Conservation Hub) focused on creating environmental consciousness among young minds. The indoor sessions featured interactive discussions on pollution prevention, capacity development and identifying sustainable alternatives to waste equipping students with practical knowledge and solutions for environmental challenges within coastal communities.
The day continued with a dynamic outdoor action session, where participants explored underwater photography, snorkeling and swimming skill development building confidence in marine environments and strengthening their connection with the ocean.

23/06/2025

As part of our commitment to community service, our factory staff (both Rockland Distilleries and Liquid Island) members at Hanwella volunteered their time and to carry out a meaningful restoration at Ward No: 03 (Female Ward) of the Dompe Divisional Hospital – A. The team carried out preventive maintenance, minor repairs, replacing non-functional bulbs and painting the ward to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for patients. The effort improved the physical condition of the ward reflecting the collective spirit and compassion in giving back to their immediate community.

Rockland Corporate Responsibility

28/04/2026

02/04/2026

13/02/2026

28/01/2026

27/01/2026

22/12/2025

23/10/2025

14/10/2025

26/09/2025

22/07/2025

23/06/2025

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