31 March 2022; Colombo – SriLankan Airlines steered a reforestation initiative together with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka and athletes participating in the second leg of Raid Amazones 2022, demonstrating its continued commitment to environmental sustainability. SriLankan is the official airline of Raid Amazones 2022, the much sought-after annual adventure trail among French female athletes.
Sri Lanka has been able to attract over 550 participants for the event, the largest French contingent the country has received to date since the pandemic, mainly due to SriLankan Airlines’ nonstop services between Colombo and Paris. France remains one Sri Lanka’s top tourism source markets, and the airline plays a vital role in the country’s tourism recovery efforts paving the way for economic sustainability. The event is expected to garner 15 million euros worth of global media coverage for the country, bring in much needed foreign exchange earnings and support livelihoods of persons employed in tourism and related industries.
Under the reforestation initiative, plants such as Kumbuk, Ma Dan, Ehela and Maila which contain medicinal properties and help to preserve natural springs would be planted by the Raid Amazones’ participants. These saplings will grow to aid the conservation and development of national forest resources in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
“I am delighted that the Raid Amazones’ participants joined hands together with SriLankan Airlines and the Forest Department in an effort to address climate change,” said Ashok Pathirage, Chairman SriLankan Airlines. He further elaborated that the airline is taking bold steps to support all efforts in making Sri Lanka a regional hub for environmental sustainability and environmental leadership.
SriLankan Airlines remains strongly committed to addressing global climate challenges, and has a strategic and holistic approach to environmental sustainability that aligns with international goals which aim to tackle industrial climate emissions. SriLankan currently offers all passengers the opportunity to offset carbon emissions of their flights through the airline’s flygreen programme.
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