Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka visits Dole farm in Buttala

The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka His Excellency Kenichi Suganuma recently made a courtesy visit to the Dole farm in Buttala to inspect its banana plantation. Ambassador Suganuma made this visit accompanied by his wife, two embassy officials along with Mr. Hirokazu Naka – General Manager, ITOCHU Corporation, Colombo Liaison Office.

Speaking about his visit, Ambassador Suganuma said that he was delighted to pay a visit to the farm and inspect the plantation. “I was very impressed by the professional manner in which Dole’s agriculture business is run in Sri Lanka and wanted to visit the farm to see for myself firsthand the process of how the produce is harvested and packed for export. It was also very encouraging to see the large amount of employment opportunities that have been made available to the people in the area as well as the immense contribution made towards Sri Lanka’s export income.”

Speaking about the Ambassador’s visit,Ms. Vindhya Weerasekera – Director Corporate Affairs, Dole Lanka stated that this visit was a great honour for the company and its workers. “We are very proud to welcome His ExcellencyKenichi Suganuma, the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, to our Buttala Dole farm and his visit here is an inspiration to us all. The presence of such an important dignitary will no doubt motivate all our workers to strive for perfection, a trait that Dole is renowned for the world over.”

Dole Lanka Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dole Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd.Founded in Hawaii in 1851, Dole Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., based in Singapore, is the global operating headquarters of the Dole Group of companies owned by the ITOCHU Corporation and does business in more than 70 countries. Dole is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables and produces and markets a worldwide line of packaged and frozen foods. Dole Lanka operates several banana farmsin Sri Lanka, primarily located in Buttala, Demodara, Embilipitiya, KudaOya, and Mahiyanganaya. The company conducts several CSR projects in these areas and provides direct as well as indirect means of employment to many rural Sri Lankans.