csr Archives

March 15, 2024

The H.E.R Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Fems, the socially responsible feminine hygiene care brand from Hemas Consumer Brands, has joined forces with Horana Plantations PLC (HPL), a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, to conduct a series of menstrual health and hygiene training sessions at their estates. This initiative underscores both companies’ commitment to community well-being and health education.

Fems established the H.E.R Foundation in May 2023 to centralize all its corporate social responsibility efforts. The foundation’s mission is to Help, Empower, and Rise women facing challenges in various aspects of their lives. It aims to address period poverty, promote feminine hygiene, provide easy accessibility to sanitary napkins, educate, and inspire future generations of women and girls. Fems channels all its CSR initiatives through the H.E.R Foundation, underscoring its commitment to enable women to be independent and rise above.

Horana Plantations PLC, renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s premier Plantation Companies, has diversified into a broad-based agribusiness entity, specializing in the production, processing, and marketing of various crops. Managing 14 Estates covering over 6500 hectares of land, primarily cultivated with Tea and Rubber, the company has recently expanded into Oil Palm and is actively increasing its footprint on Coconut Plantation.

The ongoing training sessions, totalling 20, aim to empower and educate the workforce on menstrual health and hygiene practices. This initiative reflects the companies’ dedication to not only improving the well-being of their employees but also contributing to broader community health awareness.

Mr. Johann Rodrigo, Director and CEO of Horana Plantations PLC expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership aligns with our corporate responsibility goals, emphasizing the importance of holistic employee well-being. By providing these training sessions, we strive to create a healthier and more informed workforce.”

Sachini Gamage Welungoda, Marketing Manager of Fems stated, “At H.E.R Foundation, we believe in the power of collaboration for positive social impact. Partnering with Horana Plantations PLC to conduct menstrual health and hygiene training exemplifies our commitment to holistic employee well-being and community health. By fostering education and awareness, we aim to create a healthier, more informed workforce, contributing to a brighter future for all.

The collaborative effort between H.E.R Foundation and Horana Plantations PLC highlights the significance of private sector initiatives in fostering positive social impact. Through these training sessions, both companies are actively contributing to the women’s empowerment and health education of their workforce and the local community.

March 11, 2024

In a ground breaking initiative that marks a significant stride towards community development and sustainable mobility, premier mobile service provider, HUTCH Sri Lanka has once again demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. In alignment with the company’s focused efforts on positively impacting children and the education sector, HUTCH has taken a commendable step by distributing 130 electric bicycles (e-bikes), through an exclusive partnership with the Ministry of Education, to rural schools and their staff across Sri Lanka.

This initiative, titled “Uplifting Education through Sustainable Mobility,” showcases HUTCH’s aspirations which stretch far beyond telecommunications, aiming to foster significant community development at a broad scale. It also underscores HUTCH’s commitment to enhancing and uplifting education in Sri Lanka and supporting the Government’s vision in this regard.

The e-bikes were officially handed over amidst a special ceremony, with the Hon. Minister of Education Dr Susil Premajayantha present as the Chief Guest. Amongst the other distinguished guests present were, Chairman, Dr Dharmasri Kumaratunge, and Director General, Mr Madhushanka Dissanayake, of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). Representing HUTCH were the Director of Hutchison Asia Telecommunications (HAT), Ms Anne Chen, who made a special visit to the Island for the occasion, and the CEO of Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (HUTCH Sri Lanka), Mr Saumitra Gupta.

Mr Gupta commented on the initiative saying, “At HUTCH, we’re dedicated to sustainable practices, community upliftment, and advancing technology. This project signifies our commitment to benefiting the wider community, particularly in education. It’s just the beginning, we’re gearing up for more contributions to sustainable mobility. With initiatives like this, we strive for lasting impact, promoting inclusivity and sustainability.”

HUTCH Sri Lanka is a member of the multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, a Fortune Global 500 corporation. The telecom arm of CK Hutchison Holdings stands as a global giant operating in 11 countries across Europe, Asia, and Australia, serving over 175 million subscribers. The group’s proactive launch of 5G services in 7 countries reflects its unwavering commitment to technology and innovations, positioning HUTCH as a pioneer in the telecommunications industry.

Mr Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education of Sri Lanka commented on the initiative saying “This generous contribution of 130 electric bicycles to our rural schools, with further prospects for additional units, helps to further our shared vision for a sustainable future through a functional, adaptable and sound education system. As we aim to integrate sustainability into the fabric of our educational system, partnerships like this one underscore the pivotal role of corporate entities in fostering community development and educational empowerment. I commend HUTCH for their unwavering commitment and look forward to more collaborative efforts that advance our national educational goals with a focus on sustainable solutions.”

March 4, 2024

Colombo, 04 March 2024: Sunshine Foundation for Good (SFG), the dedicated corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Sunshine Holdings PLC, recently completed the successful distribution of stationary gift vouchers, impacting the lives of more than 500 deserving children across five schools in Ratmalana, Kelaniya, and Kadawatha areas. The selected schools are strategically located in the areas where several business operations of the Group have presence. This impactful initiative was graced by the leadership members from Sunshine Holdings, Sunshine Consumer Lanka, Healthguard Pharmacies, and Lina Manufacturing.

Sunshine Foundation for Good conducted this timely initiative for the second consecutive time with the aim of supporting and inspiring future generations of Sri Lanka. While reiterating its commitment to bringing good things to the lives of Sri Lankans, the donation saw SFG proactively tackling the pressing requirement of deserving children in the selected areas for essential learning tools. The donation also ensured that these school children are well prepared for the upcoming academic year.

Vish Govindasamy, Deputy Chairman of Sunshine Holdings, stated, “Through Sunshine Foundation for Good, our overarching goal is to contribute to the nation’s progress across vital sectors such as healthcare and education. Education is the cornerstone of a thriving society, and this initiative closely aligns with our passion for nation-building. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and it is paramount that we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of responsible citizens in this nation.”

Managed and coordinated by the Corporate Communications and CSR Division of Sunshine Holdings, the distribution programs were conducted in the schools of the beneficiaries, namely Kristhudeva V. (Ratmalana), Yashodara P.V. (Kelaniya), Dalupitiya P.V. (Kelaniya), Kadawatha B.P.V. and Dippitigoda R.C.P.V. (Kelaniya).

Shantha Bandara – Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Healthcare; Anuruddha Aluwihare – Chief Executive Officer of Sunshine Consumer Lanka; Farman Nizar – Chief Operating Officer of Healthguard Pharmacies, and members of the management of Lina Manufacturing and Sunshine Tea, were present at these events. This collective effort is a testament to the organization’s deep-rooted commitment to uplift their communities.

“In selecting these schools, we conducted a thorough screening process, to ensure the strategic proximity of the business operational units to the schools,” stated Lalanthi Rajapakse, Manager – Corporate Communications, Sunshine Holdings PLC. “We firmly believe that fostering education is a powerful method for positive change in the society and remain committed to addressing the unique needs of the communities we interact with.

Through this concerted effort, Sunshine Holdings takes a pivotal step in bridging the educational opportunities and resources gap among school children from deserving socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring a more equitable and promising future for students within their neighbouring communities.

February 12, 2024

Seylan Developments PLC is pleased to announce that it has completed work on a significant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 2023 initiative. The initiative involved the funding and development of a water purification plant at the Padaviya Mahasen Primary School in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka.

The Padaviya Mahasen Primary School, home to 545 students and 20 teachers, faces the challenge of water-related issues, contributing to the prevalence of kidney diseases in the region. Presently, the school lacks a proper drinking water facility, compelling parents to manually fill clay pots in classrooms throughout the day. This arduous process not only poses a considerable challenge but also places an undue burden on parents who find it difficult to allocate time for this demanding task.

Recognizing the critical need for clean and accessible drinking water in the Padaviya community, Seylan Developments PLC has undertaken the responsibility to address this issue through a CSR initiative. The company has invested a substantial sum of Rs 1.5 million towards the establishment of the water purification plant at the Padaviya Mahasen Primary School.

This endeavour aligns with Seylan Developments’ commitment to sustainable and community-centric development. The water purification plant project aims to provide a reliable and safe source of drinking water for the students and faculty of Padaviya Mahasen Primary School, contributing positively to the overall well-being of the community.

“We are proud to complete this initiative to enhance the quality of life for the students and staff at Padaviya Mahasen Primary School,” said S. Palihawadana, Deputy Chairman at Seylan Developments PLC. “Through our CSR efforts, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve, and this project is a testament to our dedication to sustainable development. The young minds of our nation deserve access to clean drinking water, no matter where they are in the country. This project is only the first step in our journey to eliminate water scarcity in Sri Lanka,”

The groundbreaking ceremony for the handover of the water purification plant project was held on the 31st of January 2024. Seylan Developments PLC and Seylan Bank will continue to collaborate with local stakeholders, government authorities, and the school community to ensure the successful maintenance and continuity of this vital project.

January 22, 2024

January 11, 2024: Prominent Sri Lankan business establishment HTR Group continued its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) efforts in 2024 by donating nutritional and other essential items to pregnant mothers. The ceremony was recently held at the Avissawella Municipal Hall on 06^th January 2024, where 250 expectant mothers from the area received these much-needed items.

The event was graced by HTR Group Chairman H.T.R. Priyantha, Deputy Inspector General Roshan Rajapaksa, who is in charge of Kegalle District, Senior Superintendent of Police Rathnayake Weerasinghe, Assistant Superintendent of Police K.S.K Jayawardena, Counseling Psychologist Bhagya Abeysinghe and other dignitaries. School books and stationaries were also handed over to 500 children from four schools in Avissawella.

H.T.R. Priyantha was recognized in 2021 for donating his hotel (Anoma Hotel) in Hanwella to the Government as a quarantine centre. This significant effort made him the first businessman in the world to offer a business property for such a worthy cause during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The donation helped HTR Group to bag the coveted ‘CSR Project of the Year’ Award at the Business Excellence Awards 2021 and the Best Social Services Company Award at the South Asian Business Excellence Awards 2021 organized by SAPS.

December 12, 2023

A Helping Hand to Make Children’s Dreams Come True

With giving back to the community always at heart, DSI’s Fun Souls recently initiated the first step of its “Sihina Piyaman” CSR project, which was launched on Children’s Day, in hopes of bringing a smile on the faces of all children in the Island Nation.

Representatives from Fun Souls brand team and DSI banded together to donate wheelchairs to selected differently-abled children as a means of extending support for them to face challenges and realise their dreams, and some of the wheelchairs were ceremoniously donated during the event.

Fun Souls believes that providing wheelchairs to children living with disabilities will drastically improve their overall health and mobility. As a result, not only does this bring them the happiness and satisfaction of growing up as independent children, but also has a direct impact on lives of the parents and caretakers of these children.

Going beyond this simple thought of generosity, through this project, Fun Souls aims to inculcate values such as generosity and empathy towards one another in children from a tender age itself. It is also a stepping stone to encourage parents and adults to allow their children to connect with each other in a much deeper sense.

Fun Souls is DSI’s footwear and accessories brand dedicated to fashionable youngsters. With each pair of Fun Souls sold, a contribution will be allocated to provide wheelchairs to children who are most in need.

The donation ceremony took place in the presence of D. Samson and Sons (Pvt) Ltd Managing Director Thusitha Rajapaksa, Director Asanka Rajapaksa, General Manager Pradeep Samarathunga, Head of Marketing Kumerini Candappa, senior managers children and their families, staff and well-wishers.

Sharing his thoughts on the project, D. Samson and Sons (Pvt) Ltd General Manager Pradeep Samarathunga noted: “Giving back to the community has always been a matter of the heart to us at DSI, and the more we stay true to this belief, the more it helps us navigate our way through to the hearts of our loyal customers as well as all people in this country. We are determined to continue this endeavour and more through our Sihina Piyaman project.”

Samson & Sons is the sole distributor of a number of local footwear brands including U Softo, Ranpa, Samsons, DSI Supersport, Beat, Beach, Petalz, Fun Souls, Tamik, Waves, Jessica, Melissa and AVI as well as popular international brands such as Clarks, Redtape, Reebok, Puma, Fila, U.S. Polo, Adidas, Arrow, W, Modare, Aurelia, Asics, and Von Wellx.

November 1, 2023

Siyapatha Finance PLC, a fully-owned subsidiary of Sampath Bank PLC, takes pride in announcing the commencement of a nationwide tree planting project as a key component of its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.

This significant endeavour is being carried out in collaboration with the Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka’s (FHA) “500,000 Tree Planting Project”. The primary ceremony organised by FHA Sir Lanka, held at Independence Square, Colombo 07, was honoured by the presence of Mr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, along with Mr. Ananda Seneviratne, the Chairman of the Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka and Mr. Romani De Silva, Chairman of the FHA Sustainability Sub Committee, including other esteemed individuals. This event coincided with the World Environmental day symbolizing the immense importance of the tree planting project, emphasizing the shared dedication towards sustainable development. The ceremony was successfull with the planting of over 261,000 trees, recording the highest number of trees planted in a single day across Sri Lanka.

In line with the above, Siyapatha Finance PLC contributed its initiative named ‘Siyapathen Mihikathata’ which was simultaneously launched on June 5^th, 2023, coinciding with Siyapatha Finance’s 18th anniversary. Demonstrating its unwavering dedication, Siyapatha actively engaged in this endeavour by planting more than 10,000 trees across various locations in Sri Lanka through the collective effort of the Company and the invaluable support of various stakeholders, such as universities, schools, highways, road networks, and places of worship, leveraging the extensive branch network spanning the island.

“Siyapathen Mihikathata” underscores the steadfast commitment to environmental conservation and the organization’s dedication to fostering a greener future. The Managing Director of Siyapatha Finance PLC, Mr. Ananda Seneviratne, promoted this initiative from its inception, encouraging the act of planting trees as it not only contributes to purifying the air we breathe but also plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of our planet. By absorbing carbon dioxide, trees serve as a vital agent in mitigating climate change, maintaining ecological balance, and safeguarding biodiversity. Through this initiative, Siyapatha Finance aims to address the urgent need of reducing the carbon footprint while promoting sustainable financing practices in Sri Lanka.

Siyapatha Finance PLC extends an invitation to all concerned citizens, environmental enthusiasts, and organizations to unite in this endeavour. By actively participating in tree planting activities, together we can effect tangible change and contribute to a greener and more sustainable Sri Lanka.

April 24, 2023

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April 2023, Colombo: Morison Ltd., a pioneer in pharma manufacturing with a solid footprint of over 60 years industry expertise, and a subsidiary of the Hemas Group, recently unveiled its exclusive CSR platform Suwa Deya, going one step beyond its purpose of ‘Making Premium Healthcare Affordable’.

Being an exemplary corporate citizen in the industry, Morison firmly believes in taking the high road through uncompromised integrity across its value chain. Within this framework, Morison engages its stakeholders through a novel approach in its pharma brand building journey. With this emerged Suwa Deya the exclusive CSR platform of Morison, extending a series of meaningful and differentiated industry related activities to give back to society. Through Suwa Deya, Morison aspires to touch the lives of many by launching a spectrum of unique initiatives dedicated towards patients, employees, general public and healthcare professionals, being its key stakeholders.

Patient centricity being its core footing, Suwa Deya commenced by acknowledging an unseen need of patients visiting Government Hospital diabetic clinics. Realising that the patients visiting the clinics arrive early without a proper morning meal, the first initiative of Suwa Deya attempted to address this by providing healthy breakfast snacks and beverages for such patients. Sensitive to the inconveniences patients undergo, particularly during the prevailing economic challenges, Morison has conducted 15 such programs at multiple diabetic clinics, including Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Balangoda Base Hospital, Rathnapura Teaching Hospital and Negombo District General Hospital.

Taking it another step further, the ‘Ape Suwa Deya’ initiative was launched as a distinctive extension of Suwa Deya, to serve the Morison team and their closest family members. Ape Suwa Deya offers EmpaMor (Empagliflozin 10mg & 25mg), MinMor (Metformin 500mg) and Ros-10 (Rosuvastatin 10mg), three of Morison’s latest branded pharmaceuticals to treat Diabetes and Cardiovascular diseases, the two most prevalent non communicable diseases in the country. Morison employees and their loved ones who have been prescribed such products, are entitled to receive these completely free of charge on a monthly basis throughout their employment period, ensuring they do not shoulder the economic burden of chronic disease.

Dinesh Athapaththu, Managing Director, Morison Limited commenting on the programme said, “In making our purpose a reality, our own team who enables it on the ground by moving on to uncomfortable territories and getting the ball rolling during the toughest of times, comes first. Therefore, in Suwa Deya, all of us at Morison undoubtedly deserve a special place. With that emerged “Ape Suwa Deya”, to serve our very own team and their loved ones with our own medicine manufactured at our own premises, completely free of charge.”

Morison aims to further develop Suwa Deya into a comprehensive CSR platform to foster hope for all its key stakeholders with more differentiated interventions in the future, while driving the local pharmaceutical industry to the heights it deserves.

In the recent past, Morison has come forward to progressively change the trajectory of the pharma manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka. The recent inauguration of its second pharma manufacturing facility at Homagama, a state-of-the-art worldclass facility built as per EU GMP specifications, was one major milestone towards embarking on its new journey.

Being a truly Sri Lankan company, Morison takes pride in nurturing an exclusive homegrown pharmaceutical brand which is built upon a value blend that is uniquely unparalleled. The new branded pharma range of Morison stays true to its purpose of “Making Premium Healthcare Affordable”, extending the best worlds of quality and price, assuredly a rare combination in the market.

March 23, 2023

Guided by its wide-reaching sustainability strategy, DFCC Bank continues its Samata English, “English for Everyone,” social support and development programme for the 5th consecutive year, which is the Bank’s flagship project under the “Education” pillar, one of the 6 cross-cutting themes under the Bank’s sustainability vision, contributing towards resilient communities.

This year, the ongoing programmes will also empower a broad spectrum of youth aged 18-25 who have completed the GCE Advanced Level Examination in the Hambantota, Trincomalee and Nuwara Eliya Districts through the promotion and development of English language and soft skills.

Over the past years, from 2017 to 2021, DFCC Bank’s Samata English programme has directly benefited over 350 young people across the Island in Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Ampara, Rathnapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Badulla, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya. This programme is part of DFCC Bank’s long-term sustainability strategy and focuses on one of its core pillars, Developing Resilient Communities.

Older Posts

Fems H.E.R Foundation Partners with Horana Plantations PLC for Menstrual Health Training at Estates

HUTCH Gifts 130 e-Bikes Towards Rural Schools in Partnership with the Ministry of Education

Sunshine Foundation for Good Positively Impacts Lives of Children with their Education

Seylan Developments PLC completes Water Purification Project at Padaviya Mahasen Primary School

HTR Group continues CSR drive to empower more Sri Lankan lives

DSI Sri Lanka’s No 1 footwear company concludes the first phase of the Fun Souls program Sihina Piyaman

Caring for communities: Haycarb prioritizes CSR efforts to Health Sector in line with 50th anniversary

Morison launches its exclusive CSR platform ‘Suwa Deya’, reaffirming its purpose of ‘Making Premium Healthcare Affordable’

DFCC” Samata English” CSR initiative continues supporting Youth with English Language and Soft Skills Training across the country