Sri Lanka Hotel stands out with CSR Initiatives

The Bentota Beach Hotel in Sri Lanka belongs to the small group of Elite Green Globe Members, renowned to lead by example. Living by the John Keells Leisure Group pledge "I Will Care", this property is a responsible and active member of the local community, striving for opportunities to make a positive difference.

Over the past few months, the hotel conducted a series of programs to raise the HIV-Aids awareness among the community. Partnering with sister-hotel, the Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa, and under the guidance of Mr. Sanjeeva Perera, General Manager at both properties, donations were made to the IDH Hospital, Lanka Plus, and the ‘Positive Women’s Network’, providing support and resources for women living with HIV. Donation items included mattresses, pillows and cases, towels, bed linen, and table mats.

"We are committed to support the community, and do what we can to contribute to an Aids-free generation in the region," said Mr. Sanjeeva Perera.

Commemorating World Aids Day on December 01, the Bentota Beach Hotel joined hands with the Medical and Health Officers at the local Maternity Clinic Sooriyagama, to educate pregnant women on how HIV-Aids could be identified during the pregnancy period, and to offer proper treatment before children are born. 70 pregnant mothers and the Public Health Inspector of the Bentota area participated at the seminar, which was held at the "Gallery" at the hotel.

"Access to early HIV diagnosis, although critical for prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive children, is extremely limited in South Asia," commented Mrs. Swarna Kumarasinghe, Environmental Officer at the Bentota Beach Hotel.

The John Keells Group believes that a healthy society is a productive one, and the corporate HIV/Aids Awareness Campaign focuses on prevention through education and access to the correct information. It has a wide scope targeting employees of the John Keells Group, the communities around its business locations, other corporate entities, most at-risk persons, and the general public.

John Keells plays a significant role nationally and in the region in efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. The hospitality group was the principal Sri Lankan corporate sponsor of the 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific), held in Colombo in August 2007. The Foundation has been a member of the Board of the Lanka Business Coalition on HIV & AIDS since its inception and holds its chairmanship at present. The John Keells HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign was highlighted in the ‘Best Practices by Private Sector in Disease Prevention and Management – South West Asia Region’. 

"A strong commitment to society and the environment has been inherent in the John Keells Group throughout its existence. We have imbued the value of ‘Doing the Right Things, Always’, and through our actions we demonstrate our commitment and respect for all our stakeholders, including the communities and the environment in which we operate," added Mr. Sanjeeva Perera.