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.”