‘Hands of Hope’ by Spring & Summer aid in Wilpattu Reforestation Project with planting of 5,000 Trees

Spring & Summer Fashion Collection (Pvt) Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s leading clothing brands, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Army pledged to aid in the reforestation of Wilpattu, on the 11th of July 2019, followed by a tree planting ceremony that took place on the 24th of August 2019, at Wilpattu.

The project, as an initiative under ‘Hands of Hope’ – the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Spring & Summer, aims to aid in the Wilpattu Reforestation. The cause will see the immediate planting of 5,000 trees, covering approximately 25 acres of forest land. The project undertaken by Spring & Summer is expected to be carried out over several monitored and evaluated phases to ensure the aid in reforestation of Wilpattu. The concurrent phases will also include the maintenance and care-taking of plant life, together with the Sri Lanka Army, including the provision of water supply to the area.

Speaking with Co-Founder, Spring & Summer Fashion Collection (Pvt) Ltd – Mrs. Shyamalie Wijegunawardena, noted “Spring & Summer has garnered popularity as a brand that believes in strong family values and our co-founder late Mr. Daya Wijegunawardena was an environment  enthusiast. Our journey has been exciting because we have grown as one family within the company. Through Hands of Hope, we want to empower our family to contribute to the environment we live in, because what we preserve today is for our future generations – for our families. We thank former Commander General N. U. M. M. W. Senanayake for giving us the opportunity, Major General (retired) Nissanka Wijesinghe, Commander 54th Division, Brigadier – Indrajith Bandara and Commander 542 Brigade – Colonel Ravi Herath for facilitating this project. We’d also like to thank the Department of Wildlife Conservation for the provision of the sapling trees.”

Concluding, former Commander General N. U. M. M. W. Senanayake  RWP RSP VSV USP, said “The unique feature of the Wilpattu National park is the existence of “Willus” – Natural, sand-rimmed water basins, which are now severely affected due to the deforestation of the national park. The current state of climate change coupled with Wilpattu’s location in the lowland dry zone, has led to the destruction of a disturbing amount of lush forestry.”

Spring & Summer was founded in 1995 by Daya & Shyamalie Wijegunawardena. The clothing brand, at present has six [06] major outlets in Wattala, Nugegoda, Maharagama, Panadura, Colpetty and Colombo 04.