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| Sunday, 9 October 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Corporate
Social Responsibility to uplift society
by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means the contribution that a corporate makes towards the uplift of society. Social responsibility is important in a country where poverty and various human disasters plague society and the country. Ceylinco Insurance company won Asia's first ever corporate social responsibility award recently for the insurance sector. The Asia Insurance Review magazine organised the ninth Asia Industry awards ceremony at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Singapore with the company winning this prestigious award. Ceylinco Chairman Dr. Lalith Kotelawala said corporate social responsibility is not a cliche and it involves action at all levels and commitment from the management. Ceylinco Life chief executive Director R. Renganathan said that corporate social responsibility culture or philosophy is something that has been instilled into all Ceylinco members by their chairman Dr. Kotelawala. Awarding the Asian Industry award 2005, for corporate social responsibility, the Asian Insurance Review magazine has commended the activities undertaken by Ceylinco Insurance Company for the benefit of tsunami victims. Ceylinco Life CSR Projects notably its tsunami relief work has benefited victims across the racial divide and without geographic or political boundaries driving home the message of non-discrimination. More than Rs. 75 million has been committed to projects in Tamil villages such as Trincomalee and Batticaloa and Muslim villages in Kalmunai, Galle, Matara and Hambantota benefitting members of the Sinhala community, the Asian Insurance Review magazine said. Explaining the CSR projects implemented by Ceylinco in the last few years, the Executive Director of Ceylinco Life said, Ceylinco drew attention to the education sector, the heart of any nation. "Education can be very expensive with parents very often having to supplement knowledge gained at school with private tuition. Ceylinco, therefore, launched the Pranama scholarship scheme a few years ago, primarily for the benefit of its policyholders. We have awarded 458 scholarships valued at Rs. 18 million." "Rural folk in Sri Lanka very often have little access to proper medical facilities. Ceylinco life therefore launched the 'Waidya Hamuwa scheme' whereby a group of doctors will be available at a pre-determined date at a rural location where villagers could call over and obtain a free health check-up." "Many rural schools in Sri Lanka do not have even basic facilities. Ceylinco Life is now in the process of identifying the less fortunate schools in the rural sector and are providing facilities such as classrooms, furniture and nutrition, he said. |
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