Coca-Cola achieves ‘water positivity in Sri Lanka’

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka, We Effect and Raja Rata Praja Kendraya representatives stand alongside community members from Thammannawa who are now benefitting from the rehabilitated water tanks.

World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 and the theme this year is‘Valuing Water’, which focuses on the environmental, social and cultural value people place on water, aligned to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6; ensuring water and sanitation for all is perfectly embodied by the water replenishment projects undertaken by Coca-Cola.

Water is central to the long-term success of Coca-Cola’s business and the health of its communities. The company has taken on the mantle of respecting and protecting water resources while ensuring water security for the nation.

Globally, Coca-Cola has pledged to return 100% of the water used in its manufacturing back to communities and nature. In Sri Lanka, the beverage company has exceeded the goal by reaching 203% water replenishment status. This implies that for every litre of water used for the production of its beverages, the company returns 2 litres of water to communities and nature through local water initiatives.

Mayank Arora, Managing Director, ‎Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd., explained: “We set a goal to return 100% of the water we use to make our drinks. Today we’ve achieved that goal and even gone beyond, being the first Coca-Cola operation to do so in South West Asia. Water stewardship remains a key focus for us and I am pleased to state on World Water Day that we look forward to continuing this important work that addresses critical water related issues, which include safe water access and watershed protection, which are locally relevant and thereby empower local communities across Sri Lanka.”

Access to water is at the forefront of the agenda of the present Government; in 2020, following President of Sri Lanka’s instructions to rehabilitate 5000 tanks across the island, water has been earmarked as a key national priority. Aligning with the national directive, Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka embarked on key water replenishment projects rehabilitating ancient water tanks in partnership with INGOs, We Effect in Anuradhapura and ACTED in Monaragala, both of whom have a proven track record in working in rural areas to improve quality of life in those communities.