LOLC Finance celebrated World Environment Day on 05th of June 2025 at its office premises located in Bambalapitiya, uniting representatives from 22 regional branches in a concerted effort to confront the growing threat of plastic pollution. Anchored to this year’s global theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution,” the event served as a platform for LOLC Finance to reinforce its internal sustainability mandate, with an ambitious goal to achieve “Zero Waste to Landfill by 2030” via actively adopting the 7R principles: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Regift, and Recycle.

The keynote speaker at the event, Mr. Nishshanka De Silva, Founder of the ZeroPlastic Movement, delivered an engaging and thought-provoking address that highlighted the critical environmental, economic, and health risks posed by plastic pollution. His insights emphasised the urgent need for a shift in mindset and behaviour, urging businesses and individuals alike to reject single-use plastics and embrace responsible consumption.

Further strengthening its efforts towards accomplishing the predefined goals, LOLC Finance announced a strategic partnership with Clean Earth Envior, a leading waste management and recycling organization founded by Mr. Indunil Karunadheera. Through this collaboration, LOLC Finance envisions further scaling its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

The celebration also marked a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing environmental journey, with active participation from employees across its island-wide branch network. Through a combination of awareness, action, and leadership, LOLC Finance is steadily embedding sustainable practices into its daily operations. As part of the event, the company officially handed over 350 kilograms of paper and cardboard, along with 70 kilograms of PET bottles collected over a three-month period by 22 branches from the Metro I and Metro II regions for recycling. These efforts highlight a growing culture of environmental accountability within the organization, supported by parallel initiatives aimed at reducing overall paper usage and discouraging the internal use of PET bottles.

Sharing his thoughts during the celebration, Mr. Montini Warnakula, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Finance stated, “As Sri Lanka’s leading and largest NBFI, LOLC Finance recognizes the importance of contributing to the sustainability of our environment. With a network of over 200 branches and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, we hold a powerful platform to inspire positive change across the country. Real impact begins with awareness, but it is driven by action. Sustainability is not a separate agenda for us, it is embedded in how we operate, how we lead, and how we serve the communities, we are a part of. Our proactive stance on this journey, highlights our evolving role as a responsible corporate citizen, one that leads by example in building a more sustainable and environmentally conscious Sri Lanka.