Kotmale moves to forge an ‘iron’ nation
Kotmale recently partnered the IRONKIDS Colombo event as principal sponsor, supporting nearly 400 young participants as part of the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Triathlon held in the city.
While the internationally recognised IRONMAN event attracted athletes from around the world to compete across the scenic 70.3 km triathlon course, IRONKIDS provided a special platform for children aged 3 to 14 to experience the spirit of fitness through a non-competitive run that celebrated participation, confidence, and healthy living.
As part of its sponsorship, Kotmale also facilitated the participation of 23 children from dairy farming communities that supply fresh milk to the company, giving them the opportunity to travel to Colombo and take part in the globally recognised sporting event.
For many of these children, the experience marked a first-ever visit to the capital and an opportunity to be part of a major international sporting platform.
Cargills Group Deputy Chairman and CEO Ranjit Page, said the initiative reflected Kotmale’s broader commitment to the communities that form the backbone of its business.
“While we fully endorse the health and fitness objectives of the event, our commitment extends beyond our products to the communities that support us. Our dairy farmers nourish the nation, and we believe their children too should have opportunities to experience events of this nature. These young participants represent the heart of our nation, and nurturing that future is central to what we stand for.”
He noted that the initiative reflects Kotmale’s philosophy of “Nourishing Our Nation”, which extends beyond nutrition to community empowerment and inclusive development.
Every child participating in IRONKIDS had the opportunity to cross the official IRONMAN finish line and receive a medal — an experience designed not only to celebrate participation but also to inspire confidence and encourage an early love for physical activity.
Saranga Wijesundara, Managing Director of Cargills Dairies (Pvt) Ltd and Kotmale Holdings PLC, said the partnership aligned naturally with the brand’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles. “Kotmale is built on the promise of delivering wholesome nutrition that supports a healthy and active nation. Supporting IRONKIDS allowed us to connect that promise with action, while creating a memorable experience for children — particularly those from the farming communities who are an integral part of our value chain.”
The IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Triathlon, held as part of Active Colombo Week and the KAYA Expo, attracted more than 500 athletes from nearly 50 countries. The event also sought to promote Colombo as an emerging global destination for active lifestyles and international sporting events, with Port City Colombo serving as a key venue.
Kotmale is Sri Lanka’s leading milk collector, generating over Rs. 12 billion in annual payments to local dairy farmers and supporting thousands of rural livelihoods. Kotmale operates as part of the Cargills Group, one of Sri Lanka’s leading food companies, which has long maintained a commitment to supporting local agriculture, nutrition, and community development.
Source: Daily News