In an effort towards the sustainable conservation and preservation of Sri Pada Reserve, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka, Siyapatha Finance PLC recently installed 11 informative public awareness Hoardings and 18 Waste bins for the disposal of plastic and polythene waste in a sustainable manner along the Hatton-Nallathanni trail – the shortest and most popular route leading up to the summit of the mountain.
Themed “Nemadumen Pasu Amaduma”, the project, which was initiated in 2024, was extended this year as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Siyapathen Mihikathata”, with the aim of raising public awareness about the growing environmental challenges and the importance of effective plastic and polythene waste management practices.
Renowned as the Peak Wildlife Sanctuary – the third largest sanctuary – in the Island Nation, Sri Pada Reserve is the dwelling to a vast range of plant and animal species, including approximately 8% of the country’s indigenous flora and fauna . The mountain range was declared a Wildlife Nature Reserve in 1940 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 for its rich biodiversity, crucial ecological process, scenic beauty, and cultural background.
With millions of devotees and tourists from across the world visiting Sri Pada Reserve each year, the sacred pilgrimage site has unfortunately been afflicted with pollution, resulting in a threat towards the destruction of its unique ecosystem as well as the gradual eroding of habitats for the very species of animals and plants that are at an alarmingly high risk of extinction.
Siyapatha Finance PLC CEO Mr. Mathisha Hewavitharana and the team set the project in motion for 2026 under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada, Most Venerable Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera, with special permission from the Maskeliya District Secretariat and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Sharing his thoughts, Siyapatha Finance PLC CEO Mr. Hewavitharana remarked: “Sri Pada Reserve is a globally acclaimed biodiversity hotspot that is home to endangered animal and plant species. It forms a number of headwaters through which some of the major rivers of Sri Lanka originate. One of the most critical threats faced by the reserve in the present era is the continual issue of plastic and polythene pollution by pilgrims and sightseers visiting every year. Having acknowledged these facts, ‘Nemadumen Pasu Amaduma’ is not a mere environmental project – it is an opportunity for us as an entity, an industry to keep encouraging and collaborating with the public to take responsibility as thoughtful citizens and save the blessings of nature for generations to come. On behalf of Siyapatha Finance, I’d like to express my gratitude to every person that dedicated their time and energy to bring this project to fruition in spite of the challenges, and we pledge to continue these efforts in the same spirit in the future.”
Siyapatha Finance PLC, the largest fully owned subsidiary of the Sampath Bank Group, boasts an islandwide network of over 60 branches, ensuring its customers are provided with the best-in-service delivery standards. The Company has secured a National Long-Term Rating of ‘A(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook by Fitch Ratings, reflecting solid financial standing and promising growth trajectory. Over the past 20 years, Siyapatha Finance PLC has contributed to the development of small and medium entrepreneurial efforts as well as the fulfillment of individual financial needs across the island.
