GRI initiatives benefit children of Sri Lankan rubber farming community

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Specialty tire maker Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (GRI) recently held two events with natural rubber farming communities, both held under GRI's Green X Circle initiative, which supports Sri Lanka's farming communities and the country's agricultural industry.

During one event, GRI identified a need for extracurricular sporting activities and equipment for school children and thus distributed cricket, volleyball and badminton equipment to selected schools in Monaragala, Sri Lanka.

D.M. Senevirathna, principal of the Monaragala school, expressed his school's "heartfelt gratitude to GRI in helping us develop the sporting skills of students at our school. We hope GRI will continue to support these children in the future and wish the management success in all their future endeavors."

In the other event,GRI distributed book bags and stationery kits to farmers' school children in Monaragala for the start of the new school year.

GRI said the projects continue its support of farming communities and help children in these farming communities start the New Year on a positive note and achieve success in their education,

H.M. Ranjith, a rubber farmer from Nakkala, Monaragala, said farmers there have been supplying rubber sheets to GRI since it opened the Nakkala GRI Rubber Purchasing Centre.

"The main reason for (donating the school supplies) is the great service by GRI rendered to us and the recognition they have for the work we do," Mr. Ranjith said. "The schoolbags and stationary gifted to these children will go a long way, and we will continue to further develop our relationship with GRI in the future."

GRI CEO Mahesha Ranasoma said the tire maker recognizes the importance of small farmers in Sri Lanka and the unique challenges their communities face.

"Our Greeen X Circle initiative helps improve the socio-economic status of Sri Lankan rubber farmers by ensuring fair compensation for their produce and giving them the foundation to expand and innovate in rubber cultivation," Mr. Ranasoma said.

"GRI works with the community to provide solutions for their challenges as the Green X Circle is focused on sustainability and taking on a holistic, long-term approach."

The Green X Circle is a strategic initiative that connects the natural rubber farmer community in Sri Lanka and farmer communities worldwide to GRI and the tires it makes.

"As we keep building the foundation of the Green X Circle in Sri Lanka, it is a privilege to be able to support the farmer community by assisting schools and students," GRI Managing Director Prabhash Subasinghe said. "These are small beginnings of a long journey to show our gratitude to the hardworking farmers who are the heart of our nation."

In June of 2020, GRI opened a natural rubber collection center in the Monaragala district of Sri Lanka in order to support local rubber tree planters.