John Keells holds HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

CSR PROJECT: John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation's HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign has entered its second phase, raising awareness among vulnerable groups and external communities around the business locations of the John Keells Group.

The formal launch of the second phase took place in Hikkaduwa on November 23, 2006 and was attended by many dignitaries of the area, including the Divisional Secretary, Deputy Mayor and other local government officials, religious leaders, the medical officer-NSACP, STD Clinic of the Mahamodera Teaching Hospital in Galle, tourism officials, school principals and teachers, and representatives of the police.

Speakers at the event acknowledged the timeliness of such an awareness programme towards arresting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country which has to date recorded 815 cases of infected and an estimated 5000 persons who are living with HIV.

Dr. Indira Hettiarachchi and Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga of the ILO/USDOL HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme conducted an awareness programme for the benefit of the invitees.

The first community-based awareness session under the second phase took place later on the same day, with 27 tourist guides, three-wheeler drivers and tourist van drivers participating in an interactive workshop.