Arguably Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), maintains its single entity highest tax payer status in the country. Taxes on cigarettes are now at approximately 80 odd %, leaving the Company about 19, % to carry out other functions.

‘We work in strict compliance with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol. Having done that social reporting dialogue is conducted by Bureau Veritas, an independent facilitator to ensure transparency in all we do’. These remarks largely contained in CTC’s quarterly publication ‘The 360 degree Responsibility’ were contents, in large part of CEO Mustanser Ali Khan’s message to that publication.

About 10,000 families spread throughout the country are participants and beneficiaries of the bio diversity programme of the company. Areas from Badulla, to Hambantota have had Company inclusion in the programme. Particularly planting trees to maintain the ecological balance in the environment. Although catchment areas of Hatton and Western slopes bordering the Peak Wilderness, and the Knuckles range have not been identified for attention it is to be assumed that Nuwara Eliya district, identified in the report, have these areas ear marked for input for attention.

Ultimate target to prevent environment degradation in areas targeted will include an area of some 500 hectares spread throughout identified districts of Galle, Kandy, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, and other areas in divergent climate zones and varying terrain.

Barns conversion to 100 percent paddy husk which previously included fuel wood firing for drying has now given rise to specific environment protection fostering eco balance and preventing felling of forest reserves for insidious and more so, dubious reasons.

Confronted with the dangers of smoking that could detract from CSR initiatives of the company at large, a company spokesperson said the question of smoking was a highly personalized function completely dependent on the person or persons who do so by choice and not compulsion.

But whatever expenditure is incurred for their bio diversity project are areas of budgeted expenditure fully financed by the company.

Eventually families who will benefit because the entire scheme was not only to address ecological concerns but also programmed to provoke expansion to family income and creating wide- spread awareness for environment protection.

The CSR publication also said that CTC is committed to working with the government and other multilateral organizations including the World Health Organization.

CTC is now in an open office environment.