By Nisal Rukshan
Sri Lanka’s Largest Ceylon Black Tea processor, Hatton Plantations PLC marked their proud 5th anniversary on 28th May 2024 prioritising religious rituals. Hatton Plantations PLC, part of G&G Group of companies is one of the leading regional plantation companies with core values of responsibility, sustainability, accountability, safety, community development and teamwork. The company recently implemented many innovative agriculture practices for the Sri Lankan plantation history. They introduced the new concept of female harvesting team leaders, which shows transformation within female pluckers. New female supervisors were introduced to supervise female tea pickers during this concept. Speciality is those young females selected from the same community ( worked or working as estates). It showcased women’s empowerment and ensured the comfort of tea pickers by providing more secured environment. The company also introduced new hand-held tea harvesting machines for female tea pickers to equip them with new technology and increase their skills.
Coinciding with this anniversary, a whole night pirith chanting followed by special almsgiving was commenced at Hatton Plantations headquarters located in Peliyagoda. Thereby, alms were offered for 20 Buddhist monks. Not only with Buddhist religious rituals special Pooja with Hindu religious rituals conducted at Hatton Darawala lower division with the participation of Mr Menaka Athukorala, Managing Director & Executive Director of Hatton Plantations Plc, Mr Gowri Shankar, Managing Director and CEO of G&G Group of Companies and a few Officials. In the meantime, the company also provided delicious lunches and refreshments for all employees serving in 13 estates, both Lindula and Hatton regions.
Adding more colours to the journey of the 5th anniversary, another special event of letter of appointment awarding to the harvesting team leaders and office assistants who completed successful training was held at the HPL’s training center in Darawala-Hatton. The event was graced by Mr Menaka Athukorala, Managing Director & Executive Director of Hatton Plantations Plc, Mr Gowri Shankar, Managing Director and CEO of G&G Group of Companies and a few Officials. The event was highly heart-touching with happiness flowing through tears and smiles.
“The Hatton Plantations is not just a company, it’s a family that’s why I am calling as “Hatton Family”, each one of us should feel that we belong to the Hatton Family and contribute towards collective success of the industry & country in whole, Said Mr Menaka. Mr Shankar mentioned that the way forward for all plantation companies is by disruptive technology & innovation and companies which has a vision in this direction can only sustain its growth.
Mr Gary Seaton, Chairman of G&G Group of Companies, Mr Menaka Athukorala, Managing Director & Executive Director of Hatton Plantations PLc, Mr Gowri Shankar, Managing director and CEO of G&G Group of Companies, all other directors and employees of the company worked during last five years as a team to achieve present development combined with sustainability & growth.
Nisal Rukshan – Assistant Manager Plantations & Leisure , Hatton Plantations PLC