The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Kenichi Suganuma recently visited the Dole banana plantation in Buttala.
The Ambassador said he was impressed by the professional manner in which Dole’s agriculture business is run in Sri Lanka. “I wanted to see for myself firsthand the process of how the produce is harvested and packed for export.
It was also very encouraging to see how the company has created employment opportunities for the people in the area and has contributed immensely to Sri Lanka’s export income.” Ambassador Suganuma was accompanied by his wife, two embassy officials and General Manager, ITOCHU Corporation, Colombo Liaison Office, Hirokazu Naka. Director Corporate Affairs, Dole Lanka, Vindhya Weerasekera said, “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 over 70 countries. Dole is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables and produces and markets a worldwide line of packaged and frozen foods. Dole Lanka operates several banana farms in Sri Lanka, primarily in Buttala, Demodara, Embilipitiya, Kuda Oya, and Mahiyanganaya.