INSEE Lanka wins prestigious Gold at Presidential Environment Awards 2026

Eng. Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, CEO, INSEE Lanka, said, “It is a proud moment for all of us at INSEE. This national-level recognition reaffirms that INSEE continues to demonstrate industrial growth, and environmental stewardship can coexist through responsible operations, innovation and long-term environmental commitment”

INSEE Lanka, Sri Lanka’s only fully integrated cement manufacturer and market leader, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Award of Commendation at the Presidential Environment Awards Ceremony 2026. The award recognised the company’s excellent contribution to environmental sustainability within the Mineral Related Manufacturing Industry. The ceremony, organized by the Central Environmental Authority under the Ministry of Environment took place on 19 October 2026, at the BMICH Main Hall. 

The award is a powerful testament to the success of INSEE’s Sustainability Ambition 2030, which lies at the heart of INSEE’s ambitious sustainability journey and serves as a holistic blueprint guiding the company’s green initiatives.

Eng. Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, CEO, INSEE Lanka, said, “It is a proud moment for all of us at INSEE. This national-level recognition reaffirms that INSEE continues to demonstrate industrial growth, and environmental stewardship can coexist through responsible operations, innovation and long-term environmental commitment.”

INSEE’s Sustainability Ambition 2030 is built around five core pillars: Climate & Energy, Circular Economy, Biodiversity & Water, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, and Occupational Health & Safety.

Under the Climate and Energy pillar, INSEE continues to develop lower-carbon cement. In 2021, it became the pioneer to introduce Portland Composite Cement (PCC) to the market, reducing CO2 emissions compared to conventional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The company is focused on promoting low-carbon cement production, improving energy efficiency, and increasing thermal energy substitution through waste-derived alternative fuels, reducing dependency on fossil fuels such as coal.

Through INSEE Ecocycle, the company’s specialized waste management arm, a circular economy is driven utilizing cement kiln co-processing. The process transforms industrial waste into alternative fuel and raw materials in cement production, reducing reliance on coal. Additionally, the company repurposes fly ash, a waste by-product from Coal Power Plants, as a supplementary cementitious material to reduce clinker use, conserve natural resources and lower the carbon footprint of cement, as an industrial symbiosis initiative.

Parallel to these industrial innovative efforts, INSEE actively safeguards local biodiversity and ecosystems through the comprehensive rehabilitation of limestone quarries, an active animal rescue and release program at the Arruwakalu Quarry, mangrove restoration projects, rainwater harvesting, and expanded surface-water utilization. The company also supports local communities through vocational training, educational assistance for schools, medical camps, and drug abuse awareness initiatives. Meanwhile, INSEE continues the journey toward ‘Zero Harm to People’ throughout the business and value chain. 

Validating these efforts, INSEE is the first and only cement company in Sri Lanka to achieve EPD International certification, while also being the first cement brand in Sri Lanka to receive the Eco Label certification, and a Green Building Council of Sri Lanka 05-star rating for sustainable product performance. 

Backing these milestones is a suite of internationally recognized management systems. INSEE’s operations are certified under multiple global standards, including ISO 9001 for Quality, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management, ISO 45001 for Occupational Health & Safety, ISO 50001 for Energy Management, ISO 39001 for Road Traffic Safety, ISO 17025 for Laboratory Competence, and ISO 10004 for Customer Satisfaction.

This recognition reinforces INSEE’s commitment to leading sustainable transformation in the built environment through responsible manufacturing, innovation and environmental stewardship, creating lasting value for generations to come.