SRI LANKA – Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s prominent dairy producers, has made an investment of US$ 3.5 million over the past 18 months to upgrade its milk collection and storage sectors.
According to Managing Director Akmal Wickramanayake the investment is set to enhancing the company’s ability to efficiently manage and store fresh milk collected from local farmers.
Wickramanayake also shared that Pelwatte Dairy currently invests around Rs. 12 billion annually in purchasing fresh milk from farmers across the country.
With the opening of a second factory in Kurunegala, Pelwatte Dairy plans to double its fresh milk intake to Rs. 24 billion.
This expansion is a key part of the company’s strategy to increase its market share and support local farmers, aligning with the company’s commitment to the dairy industry in Sri Lanka.
In addition to strengthening its local operations, Pelwatte Dairy has been making strides in the export market. The company currently exports ice cream and butter to the Maldives and is preparing to expand into other international markets, including Seychelles and Mauritius.
Despite its growth abroad, the company maintains a solid presence in the domestic market, commanding approximately 25% of the market share for dairy products.
Pelwatte Dairy’s investments are not limited to infrastructure and market expansion. The company has also placed a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and environmental standards.
As part of its food safety strategy, Pelwatte has adopted the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) framework, which ensures that all products meet global food safety requirements.
Additionally, Pelwatte has taken steps to improve its occupational health and safety practices by adopting the ISO 45001 standard.
This global standard outlines best practices for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), and Pelwatte is the first dairy company in Sri Lanka to receive this certification.
The implementation of ISO 45001 allows the company to create safer working conditions for its employees by promoting a safety culture, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with both local and international safety regulations.
Wickramanayake highlighted that the company’s efforts to adhere to the ISO 45001 standard are focused on preventing workplace injuries and creating a zero-accident environment.
“Pelwatte also actively engages its employees in safety practices, encouraging participation and leadership in maintaining a safe workplace.”
Chaminda Lanka, the Assistant Manager of Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ), emphasized that safety is integrated into the company’s daily operations, making it second nature for employees.
Alongside its safety initiatives, Pelwatte Dairy is also committed to improving its environmental performance. The company has adopted the ISO 14001 framework, which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
Chairman Ariyaseela Wickramanayake reaffirmed that Sri Lanka is now self-sufficient in milk production, making imports unnecessary.
The company’s investments in infrastructure, safety, and sustainability position it as a leader in Sri Lanka’s dairy sector, committed to delivering high-quality products while maintaining a focus on employee welfare and environmental responsibility.
Senior company officials, including General Manager of Manufacturing Lasantha Silva and Senior QA Manager Shashikala Madakumbura, emphasized the importance of aligning safety practices with quality management.
“By proactively addressing potential risks, the company ensures that both its employees and the quality of its products are protected,” they noted in a joint statement.
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