Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Saturday Sep 06, 2025
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Exchanging the agreement between MDF and NCPC to initiate the project by NCPC Chairman Gamini Gunasekara and MDF Country Director Maryam Piracha
The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) of Sri Lanka, in partnership with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF), has officially launched the “Scaling Green Solutions for Tourism Businesses” intervention on 8 July 2025.
This initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive practices across the Sri Lankan tourism industry.
With the support of MDF, the program will take place from July 2025 to August 2026. The program will directly engage up to 30 tourism businesses to build capacity in sustainability across Sri Lanka. From these businesses a select 10, will be provided tailored support to implement advanced green solutions. With tourism playing a central role in Sri Lanka’s economy, the NCPC recognises the urgency to align the sector with global trends in climate responsibility. The project begins with a comprehensive background study to profile energy use, water management, and waste reduction practices across the sector. Findings from the study will guide the selection of businesses for targeted capacity-building sessions.
From left: NCPC Senior Energy Expert M.M. Munsif, CEO Samantha Kumarasena, Chairman Gamini Gunasekara, MDF Country Director Maryam Piracha, Business Adviser Nimesha Palliyaguru, Business Adviser Nipuni Daluwatta and Deputy Country Director Subraja Subramaniam
A key feature of the program is linking sustainability efforts with climate finance. The selected 10 tourism businesses will receive detailed assessments and investment-grade implementation plans covering energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, smart technology integration, and carbon emission calculations. These businesses will also be guided toward accessing climate finance through local banks and financial institutions.
In a pioneering move, the project will also incorporate a disability inclusion component. In collaboration with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), up to 20 new businesses will be trained to adopt inclusive employment practices and improve guest experiences for individuals with disabilities. This dual focus ensures that sustainability in tourism is both environmentally and socially responsible.
