Watawala Tea staff joined the Kandy Municipal Council’s cleanup operations during the Esala Perahera, collecting waste left along the procession route after spectators left each night.
Teams picked up plastic bottles, food packaging and other litter from areas along the route, working alongside municipal staff responsible for clearing the streets after the events.
The activity follows Watawala Tea’s arrangement to serve complimentary tea to spectators. Sunshine Consumer Pvt Ltd, the company that markets Watawala Tea, said staff took part in the cleanup alongside municipal teams to help keep Kandy tidy during the festival.
The Kandy Municipal Council said its Solid Waste Management Department ran special day and night cleanliness operations throughout the Perahera period.
Watawala Tea also donated T-shirts for council solid waste management employees assigned to Perahera duties. The shirts were handed over by Nadee Manatunga, senior brand manager of Sunshine Consumer Pvt Ltd, to Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijayanayaka in a brief ceremony attended by municipal officials and representatives of the Solid Waste Management Department.
Waste management during this year’s festival also received support from JICA. The Kandy Municipal Council said JICA donated waste collection bins valued at nearly Rs. 1.3 million for use during the Perahera, intended to help with source segregation.
Watawala said the cleanup work was intended to supplement municipal efforts and reduce the burden on council crews once crowds dispersed each night.
Alternative headline: Beyond a cup of tea: Watawala staff help keep Kandy clean during Esala Perahera
