Purpose in Action: Hirdaramani’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Earns Five Presidential Honours

Hirdaramani Seethawaka Plant receiving the Silver Award

Environmental sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration in how businesses operate, compete and create long-term value. For the apparel industry, this means moving beyond commitments to practical improvements in resource efficiency, cleaner production, environmental management and responsible manufacturing.

For Hirdaramani Apparel, these priorities are integral to how the Company operates. This commitment was recognised at the 2026 Presidential Environment Awards, where five of its Sri Lankan facilities received national honours for environmental excellence.

Hirdaramani Seethawaka (Washing) received the Gold Award, Hirdaramani Seethawaka the Silver Award and Hirdaramani Kuruwita the Bronze Award, while Hirdaramani Ja-Ela (Washing) and Hirdaramani Vavuniya each received Merit Awards.

A Legacy of Environmental Leadership 

With a legacy of over 100 years, Hirdaramani has continued to strengthen its approach to responsible apparel manufacturing, recognising that environmental sustainability and operational excellence must progress together.

These latest achievements build on a consistent record of national recognition. In 2024, four facilities received Presidential Environment Awards, including a Gold Award for Hirdaramani Mihila. This momentum continued in 2025, when Hirdaramani Kahathuduwa secured Gold, Hirdaramani Ja-Ela (Washing) Silver, Hirdaramani Kuruwita Bronze and Hirdaramani Seethawaka Merit.

Together with the five honours received in 2026, these successive achievements reflect the Company’s sustained commitment to improving environmental performance across its operations.

Guided by its renewed Future First 2.0 Sustainability Roadmap (2026–2030), Hirdaramani continues to advance resource efficiency, emissions reduction, water stewardship, biodiversity conservation and responsible production. 

Hirdaramani is also the first company in Sri Lanka to secure Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval for its net-zero targets, establishing a measurable pathway towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain.

Hirdaramani Kuruwita Plant receiving the Bronze Award

Speaking on the significance of these achievements and their importance to Hirdaramani Apparel’s global customer relationships, Hirdaramani Group Director, Siddarth Hirdaramani said: 

“For our customers and partners, responsible manufacturing is increasingly about working with businesses that demonstrate strong environmental standards, accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement. These national recognitions reflect the values that guide Hirdaramani, the investments we continue to make in sustainable manufacturing and our ability to translate environmental commitments into impactful action. They also strengthen the confidence our customers place in us as a trusted, responsible and forward-looking manufacturing partner.”

Where Sustainability Meets Manufacturing Excellence

The Gold Award for Hirdaramani Seethawaka (Washing) recognises its systematic approach to environmental management and efforts to embed sustainability into production.

Through practices aligned with ISO 14001 requirements, the facility has strengthened environmental compliance, resource management and continuous improvement.

Initiatives targeting water, energy and chemical consumption, waste reduction, production efficiency, sustainable processes and product innovation, demonstrate how environmental improvements can contribute to improved manufacturing efficiency and productivity. 

Employee engagement and cross-functional collaboration have also helped make sustainability a shared responsibility across departments.

Continuous Improvement, Measurable Progress

For Hirdaramani Seethawaka, the Silver Award represents significant progress from its Merit recognition in 2025.

The facility has strengthened its management systems through ISO 50001 energy management and ISO 9001 quality management certifications, alongside improvements to steam and compressed-air systems and expanded rainwater harvesting.

Its biodiversity park, featuring 60 native plant species and the ongoing Greening Hospital Project with District General Hospital – Avissawella demonstrate a commitment extending beyond manufacturing operations.

Hirdaramani Vavuniya Plant receiving the Merit Award

Advancing Efficiency Through Responsible Resource Management

The Bronze Award for Hirdaramani Kuruwita recognises its consistent focus on environmental performance and resource management.

A LEED Platinum-certified facility, Hirdaramani Kuruwita also holds ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications, reflecting its commitment to internationally recognised environmental and energy management practices.

Renewable energy solutions, including solar power and biomass, are complemented by initiatives in energy conservation, water stewardship, waste reduction and environmental compliance.

Driving Environmental Innovation Through Technology

Hirdaramani Ja-Ela (Washing) received a Merit Award for its continued improvements in environmental management and resource-efficient manufacturing.

The facility has integrated advanced washing technologies to optimise water, energy and chemical consumption, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and improve productivity.

Supported by environmental management practices aligned with ISO 14001 requirements, these initiatives demonstrate how technology, cleaner production and continuous process improvements contribute to responsible manufacturing.

Extending Sustainability Beyond Manufacturing

At Hirdaramani Vavuniya, the Merit Award recognises progress in energy efficiency, water conservation and community-focused sustainability.

Innovations including the Mini Boiler Project and Uncurling Devices Project have supported improved energy performance, while expanded rainwater harvesting capacity contributes to more responsible water management. The facility’s long-term partnership with Lacoste and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) further connects environmental conservation with community development.

Progress Driven by People and Purpose

Behind these achievements are teams whose dedication, ideas and collective efforts continue to improve environmental performance across Hirdaramani’s operations. Recognising the dedication and continued efforts behind these achievements, Hirdaramani Apparel, Country Director – Sri Lanka Operations, Ajith Gunawardana commented:

“Achieving these national recognitions requires sustained commitment, careful planning and consistent effort across every level of our operations. I am particularly proud of our plant teams, whose dedication, innovative thinking and willingness to continuously improve have made these achievements possible. From strengthening environmental management systems to introducing practical improvements in resource efficiency and cleaner production, their collective efforts demonstrate how environmental responsibility and operational excellence can progress together.” These five Presidential honours reflect the collective progress achieved across Hirdaramani’s operations, where cleaner production, innovation and responsible resource management continue to strengthen environmental performance and manufacturing competitiveness.

Guided by its renewed Future First 2.0 Sustainability Roadmap and corporate purpose of Continuous Progression, Together, Hirdaramani remains committed to translating its environmental ambitions into meaningful, measurable action.

Hirdaramani Ja-Ela (Washing) Plant receiving the Merit Award

Teams representing Environmental Sustainability, Operations and Maintenance with their 2026 Presidential Environment Awards

Hirdaramani Seethawaka (Washing) Plant receiving the Gold Award