Janathakshan GTE Ltd, with funding support from The Coca-Cola Foundation, has successfully completed the “Strengthening Women and Youth Engagement in Informal Waste Management in Sri Lanka (SWYFT)” project, marking a significant milestone in strengthening plastic waste management systems and promoting circular economy practices across the country.
Implemented from August 2024 to May 2026 across the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and Kurunegala districts, the multi-district initiative focused on creating sustainable solutions for plastic waste management while empowering women and youth involved in the informal waste sector.
The SWYFT project was built around three key objectives: increasing public awareness on responsible consumption and proper waste disposal; creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and youth engaged in plastic waste management; and strengthening and formalizing informal waste management systems to support a more inclusive and sustainable circular economy.
During its two-year implementation period, the project achieved several notable milestones within Sri Lanka’s environmental sector. Five women- and youth-led Material Collection and Processing Centers (MCPCs) were established and equipped with modern baling machinery to improve resource recovery and recycling efficiency.
A significant achievement was the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first hydro-powered MCPC, developed in partnership with Thalawakelle Plantation of the Hayleys Group. The initiative demonstrated the potential of private sector and civil society collaboration in creating innovative and environmentally sustainable waste management solutions.
To reduce carbon emissions associated with waste collection activities, the project introduced low-emission transport solutions specifically designed for waste management operations. A total of eight electric three-wheelers and fifteen electric bikes were provided to local waste collection stakeholders, improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
The project also focused on strengthening the financial resilience of informal waste management actors. Customized business plans were developed for all five MCPCs and 40 individual informal waste collectors to support sustainable income generation and long-term business growth. In addition, 45 waste collectors received specialized capacity-building training to enhance operational efficiency and expand their opportunities within the circular economy.
Further supporting future environmental planning, SWYFT conducted a comprehensive National PET Plastic Ecosystem Study, generating valuable insights to support evidence-based decision-making and guide future waste management policies and interventions in Sri Lanka.
Through extensive awareness and education programs, the project successfully engaged communities and stakeholders at multiple levels. These initiatives promoted responsible plastic consumption, waste segregation, recycling, and environmentally responsible disposal practices, reaching more than 15,000 schoolchildren, over 3,000 community members, and more than 400 government and private-sector stakeholders.
The successful completion of the SWYFT project highlights the continued commitment of Janathakshan and The Coca-Cola Foundation toward building stronger recycling systems, empowering communities, and advancing sustainable environmental solutions in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Drone Startup Scouts Secures Investment at LKR 1.6 Billion Valuation to Expand into Regional Intelligent Robotics Market
Scouts, Sri Lanka’s pioneering intelligent drone and robotics company, has successfully closed its latest funding round at a valuation of LKR 1.6 billion, marking a major milestone for the country’s emerging deep-tech ecosystem.
Beyond being a financial achievement, the investment represents a significant step for Sri Lanka’s technology sector, where engineering talent has traditionally been exported rather than transformed into globally competitive technology ventures. Scouts aims to change that narrative by developing locally built intelligent robotics solutions with regional and international potential.
The company provides advanced drone-based security solutions designed to serve a wide range of customers, from small-scale farmers to large-scale industrial operators and renewable energy facilities.
Next-Generation AI-Powered Security Solutions
Scouts offers fully managed drone security services, handling the installation, operation, and management of the complete solution to provide a seamless experience for customers.
Its autonomous, weather-resistant drones use artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to conduct continuous perimeter monitoring, identify potential security threats, and provide real-time alerts. The systems are designed for applications across plantations, warehouses, solar farms, and other large-scale facilities, delivering enhanced surveillance capabilities at a lower cost compared with traditional security models.
Among the investors in Scouts is SITREK Group, a company with more than four decades of experience in Sri Lanka’s security industry. The partnership represents a collaboration between an established security provider and an emerging technology company, highlighting the growing potential of intelligent drone systems in the security sector.
Scouts has developed an integrated ecosystem combining hardware, software, and AI-driven intelligence. Unlike conventional surveillance systems that only capture footage, Scouts’ drones can identify incidents, issue alerts, and collect evidence related to events such as fires, unauthorized entry, or open access points until appropriate action is taken.
For organizations managing large or complex sites, the technology expands security capabilities beyond what traditional manpower alone can provide. It also enables existing security infrastructure, such as cameras and motion sensors, to become active triggers for automated drone responses.
Expanding Applications Across Multiple Industries
While security remains a key focus, Scouts is expanding its technology applications across sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial operations.
In agriculture, the company is developing precision farming drone solutions capable of monitoring crop health and identifying early signs of disease. These capabilities provide farmers and plantation operators with early warnings, allowing targeted interventions to reduce crop losses and improve productivity.
For solar and wind energy facilities, Scouts’ thermal imaging drone inspections and structural surveys can identify faults within hours, significantly reducing the time required compared with traditional manual inspections.
The company’s robotics platform has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing it to support new drone formats and industry applications while maintaining its core capability of delivering intelligent, mobile observation systems.
With its latest investment round, Scouts is positioning itself to compete in the growing regional intelligent robotics market while demonstrating the potential of Sri Lankan innovation on a global stage.
Janathakshan and Coca-Cola Foundation Complete High-Impact Plastic Waste Management Project to Strengthen Recycling Efforts
