Sri Lankan garment manufacturer, The Hirdaramani Group, has collaborated with Parley for the Oceans on eco-innovation and ocean conservation projects.

Hirdaramani and Parley will work together in a two-pronged alliance. Parley Ocean Plastic will be incorporated into Hirdaramani's product range. The companies will also collaborate on ocean conservation, eco-innovation, and beach clean-up projects. The partnership is expected to create new prospects for the companies' existing client base while also exploring chances with new customers interested in Parley Ocean Plastic textiles and accessories.

Thusitha Cooray, CEO Hirdaramani Discovery Lab, Hirdaramani Group, said that their mission is to develop eco-innovative goods for top global brands, and their cooperation with Parley for the Oceans provides them with fresh and exciting opportunities to do so. For many years, the Hirdaramani Group has advocated for the reduction of marine plastic pollution. Following the MV X-Press Pearl incident, Sri Lanka is suffering one of the largest marine ecological disasters in its history, making this cause even more urgent. Its ramifications will be felt for decades. They've reached a fork in the road and are approaching the point of no return. All stakeholders must work together to counteract the effects and act now.

Parley's multi-faceted approach to eco-innovation and collaboration is crucial for Hirdaramani. Parley Sri Lanka focuses on beach cleanups and youth and community education. In conjunction with a variety of national and local government agencies, local NGOs, and private organizations, Parley Sri Lanka has collected approximately 11,700lbs of marine trash since November 2018.

Each event includes clean-ups as well as awareness workshops and creative engagement activities, giving volunteers a unique opportunity to interact with the oceans and understand how their actions, both good and bad, affect the oceans.

Irushinie Wedage, director at Parley Sri Lanka, said that they’re excited to collaborate with the Hirdaramani Group on a shared vision for eco-innovative goods and conservation initiatives that address the major dangers to our oceans while also empowering brands and consumers to adopt a plastic-conscious mindset. Their collaboration comes at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka, following the recent marine ecological calamity. Industry-led responses to ocean and climate concerns are now more important than ever.