Savithuru Investment Plan launch at ANCL:

‘Planting trees, a timely need’

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

‘Even though the world population is on the increase daily, environmental resources do not increase in tandem with the growing population. The forest cover is reducing while the population is on the rise.

‘Therefore, planting trees has become a timely need in the current world, Touchwood Investments PLC Director Swarna Maloney said.

“Each person in the world uses one tree per year, which means that around seven billion trees are felled annually. In such a situation, we should pay more attention to tree planting,” she added.

She was addressing the Savithuru Investment Plan launching ceremony at the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), yesterday. Touchwood Investments PLC launched the new Savithuru Investment Plan along with the Mihithuru environmental magazine, published by the ANCL with the aim of supporting the country’s economy.

The sequential publication of the Mihithuru magazine was also launched at this ceremony.

“Touchwood is the pioneer of the agro - forestry investment industry in Sri Lanka.

‘We are a company that specializes in the cultivation of high value exotic tropical timbers as an alternative and sustainable source of forest products (Mahogany, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Teak and other cash crops).”

“Our mission is to grow trees that are commercially viable and environmentally sustainable, to make our clients wealthy and healthy, creating an environment for our employees that promotes job satisfaction, safe in the knowledge that we are saving the rain forests whilst acquiring wealth.

‘Touchwood is proud to be a true triple bottom line company, profiting, protecting the environment and being socially responsible,” she explained.

ANCL Director (Editorial) Seelaratne Senarath said Touchwood Investments PLC has been involved in a very important social responsibility over the past 13 years which should be appreciated.

“Over the last 13 years, they have overcome many obstacles in their journey to make Sri Lanka greener and an industry leader under the guidance of Touchwood Investments PLC chairman Rescoe Maloney,” he added. He said it is incumbent on each and every one of us to plant at least one tree.

‘Otherwise, it would be considered a failure on our part.

ANCL Chairman and Managing Director Bandula Padmakumara, Touchwood Investments PLC chairman Rescoe Maloney, ANCL General Manger Abhaya Amaradasa, Chief Administrative Officer Rohana Aryarathna, Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Waruna Mallwaarachchi and Silumina Editor Karunadasa Sooriyarachchi also participated.