THE ENGAGEMENTS OF A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZEN

A group that engages in a wide range of activities providing a myriad of services in many spheres and gainful employment to thousands of people is by definition a socially responsible corporate citizen. Indeed, our overall activities, given our history, businesses and mission, can be legitimately tagged as a CSR portfolio. And yet, for us, this is not sufficient. Our mission persuades us to venture into activities and initiate programmes that have a direct impact on selected sections in our society. These engagements are never ad hoc affairs but are well-thought out exercises where feasibility, worthiness and overall benefit are carefully considered. These can be roughly characterized in the sectors of education and sport.



Sports is key to building character and team-spirit
Lanka Bell in line with its reputation as a major sponsor of sports in Sri Lanka, came forward to sponsor the Wayamba team in the inaugural Inter-Provincial Cricket Tournament organized by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Lanka Bell Wayamba put on a superb performance in the four tournaments held this season: a one-day tournament, two Twenty 20 tournaments and a four day first class tournament. The Wayamba team had the distinction of qualifying for the finals of all 4 tournaments.

Lanka Bell Wayamba were declared joint champions with the Kandurata team in the one-day tournament when the final was interrupted by rain. This tournament was followed by the first Twenty 20 tournament where the Wayamba team clinched victory by defeating the Ruhuna Provincial team in the final. The next tournament conducted was the 4 day first class tournament where the Wayamba team emerged runners up to the Basnahira – North team. The final tournament of the season was the second Twenty 20 tournament where the Wayamba team retained the title defeating the Basnahira South team in the final.



The Lanka Bell Wayamba team consisted of senior National players such as former national skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Jehan Mubarak, Micheal Vandort, Farveez Maharoof, spinning sensation Ajantha Mendis as well as seasoned campaigners such as Jeewantha Kulatunga, Lanka de Silva, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welagedara and up and coming youngsters such as Isuru Udana, Shalika Karunanayaka, Kaushalya Lokuarachchi and Mahela Udawatta.

Mentoring of engineering students
Lanka Bell has taken the initiative to mentor 3rd year civil engineering students of the University of Moratuwa. Under this programme, the students are groomed and mentored by senior management staff of the Company on how to approach life in the corporate sector.

The outline of the Programme was designed by the Rotary Club of Downtown Colombo which helps improve the soft skills of individuals. The primary objective of the program is to produce graduates with specific skills and attitudes and enhance their marketability upon graduation. Students are assisted in identifying individual weaknesses and helped in the matter of overcoming the same. Each individual student is evaluated at the end of the programme.