Tourism Breaking News
SriLankan Airlines, the official Airline Partner of the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), premiered the latest range of products under its award-winning upcycle brand, ‘Mathaka,’ at the event held from 6 to 11 November 2024 at Cinnamon Life. Launched in 2021, SriLankan Airlines’ ‘Mathaka’ brand transforms its retired materials into a range of on-trend lifestyle products and collectables, underscoring its commitment to being one of South Asia’s most sustainable airlines.
Like many organizations worldwide, SriLankan Airlines has faced the challenge of ethically disposing of materials retired from its operations. For the airline, this meant dealing with unusable aircraft seat covers, blankets, curtains, uniforms, wooden air cargo pallets, and other items. The airline found its solution in Mathaka, aptly named for transforming remnants of yesterday’s onboard product into brand new consumer items. Mathaka allows SriLankan Airlines to take its planet-friendly philosophy to another level by fashioning people’s memories of air travel into tangible products.
The latest range, which includes travel bags, tote bags, peg dolls, table runners and mats, and many more exciting items, also ushers in a new era for Mathaka, with SriLankan Airlines forming collaborations with three Sri Lankan women sustainable entrepreneurs to create Mathaka products. This consists of House of Lonali, founded by Lonali Rodrigo; SO4 by Ruth Weerasinghe; and Pom’s Island by Shamin Abideen. In addition to its sustainable advantages, the Mathaka project also supports the livelihoods of economically disadvantaged women, who are involved in producing certain Mathaka items.
Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer, SriLankan Airlines, stated, “Since our earliest days, SriLankan Airlines has championed environmental causes, backing our commitment with action. We are proud to collaborate with these outstanding individuals, with whom we share a deep commitment to sustainable practices, to create our latest range of Mathaka products. We are also grateful to everyone who explored the Mathaka collection at SLDF; your enthusiasm for sustainability inspires us to keep pushing the green envelope, and we look forward to bringing these items to the marketplace very soon.”
Saminda Perera, Head of Marketing, Environmental Affairs, and Sustainability, SriLankan Airlines, added, “As we continue to evolve in a world that demands more sustainable practices, we are excited to introduce the next phase of Mathaka. This initiative aligns with our sustainability goals and offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact through innovation, women’s empowerment and community-driven enterprise. It’s a reminder that sustainability is a shared responsibility – one that we proudly uphold as a company and as global citizens.”
The new Mathaka collection was unveiled at SriLankan Airlines’ stall at SLDF, which also showcased the airline’s other sustainability efforts. SriLankan also hosted a workshop led by Pom’s Island founder, Shamin Abideen, during SLDF, focusing on upcycling and recycling pallet wood.
Project Mathaka is one of several initiatives undertaken by the airline’s Marketing and Environmental Affairs and Sustainability team to support the environment in measured and impactful ways. SriLankan Airlines was the first airline in Asia to introduce ‘Planet Friendly Flights’ back in 2009 and was named the second lowest carbon-emitting airline in the Asia-Pacific in 2016 by Business Traveller.
