CSR

Lanka IOC donates ambulance

Lanka IOC, under its CSR arm 'We Care' recently donated an ambulance to the Lihiniyagama Hospital, in Dehiattakandiya in the Ampara district.

It was presented by President Maithripala Sirisena to the Regional Director of Health Services, Ampara, Dr. Senaka Talagala at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Y. K. Sinha were also present.

According to Dr. Talagala, the Dehiattakandiya area has been identified by the Ministry of Health as an area affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). At present, around 350 new patients have been registered in this area.

The Base Hospital at Dehiattakandiya provides treatment to patients suffering from CKD. However, considering the large number of patients reported in the adjoining Lihiniyagama area, a Primary Medical Care Unit has been set up at the Lihiniyagama Hospital to provide relief to the new patients.

President Sirisena welcomed the donation of this ambulance since a large number of CKD patients was reported from the Dehiattakandiya in recent times.

Regional Director of Health Services, Ampara, Dr. Senaka Talagala with Dr. Tilak Rajapakse received the ambulance on behalf of the hospital. Managing Director, Lanka IOC, Subodh Dakwale said, "As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Lanka IOC believes that the profitable growth of a company depends on the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the communities across the island. Our CSR initiatives stem from this simple yet strong belief and regular initiatives are being taken by the company in this direction".

ComBank completes repairs to Sri Pada steps

The Commercial Bank has completed repairs to two sections of the steps to the summit of Sri Pada under a project undertaken by the Bank's CSR Trust for the benefit of pilgrims.

The work began in 2014 included renovation of the steps between Rathu Ambalama and Golutenna on the stretch leading up to Seetha Gangula.

This was the second time that Commercial Bank undertook restoration of the pathway up Sri Pada as part of the Bank's commitment to nurturing places of historic, cultural and religious significance in Sri Lanka.

The Bank previously funded the reconstruction of the pathway between Seetha Gangula and Thenna in 2008.

Sri Pada is revered as a sacred site by several religions and annually thousands of pilgrims climb the steps up this holy mountain to worship. It is of particular significance to Buddhists due to the belief that the foot print of the Buddha is imprinted on top of the mountain.

The peak pilgrimage season is in April.

Preserving Sri Lanka's cultural heritage is one of the focus areas of the CSR Trust of Commercial Bank. Two of the main projects it has completed in this sphere are the museum at Kirivehera and the renovation of lamp posts donated by the Bank to the Dambulla Temple.

SLT supports Batticaloa Teaching Hospital improvement

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the Super Platinum sponsor of the Batticaloa Emergency and Accident Project (BEAP), re-affirmed its commitment towards the next phase of the project by making the company's contribution at its premises recently.

The mock cheque was presented to the President of the Foundation Supporting a National Trauma Service, Dr. David Young, by the Chief Corporate Officer, SLT, S.K. Lal Ranjith.

The Batticaloa Teaching Hospital Project envisions to upgrade the Hospital with a full-fledged emergency and trauma unit to cater to the large population in the region.

This project will transform it into a fully equipped hospital with modern facilities and equipment including a modern emergency reception area, accident evaluation facility, three well-equipped operating theatres, assessment rooms, recovery rooms, ward facilities for 100 beds (male and female), adequate staff, storage facilities.

SLT and the Foundation supporting a National Trauma service in Sri Lanka entered into an agreement to be the Super Platinum sponsor of the project.

The project is partly funded by corporates such as SLT and other donors while the balance is funded by the Government.

"We are glad to contribute towards this noble cause," said Lal Ranjith.

"This is a much felt need in the Batticaloa area.

As a large corporate entity, it is our responsibility to render help to the community. We encourage other corporates to extend support towards this endeavour," he said.

CEO of the Foundation, Nihal de Run said, "The Foundation Supporting a National Trauma Service in Sri Lanka is pleased to receive this second tranche of funding from Sri Lanka Telecom, the Super Platinum sponsors of the BEAP project."

"This contribution brings us closer to achieving our goal of constructing a three-storied building, three theatres, emergency and accident facility within the premises of the Hospital," he said.

"We are making every effort to have the foundation stone laid and launch construction soon. The Foundation will then focus on raising funds to provide the hospital with modern medical equipment," he said.