Combating HIV:

Health Ministry lauds JKH

"The private sector has a huge responsibility to take action against the spread of HIV in Sri Lanka. We are aware that John Keells is such an organisation that takes action in combating HIV across the island," the Health Ministry Director, National STD/AIDS Control Program Dr. Nimal Edirisinghe, which has partnered John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation's HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign since its inception in July 2005 said.

In financial year 2009/10, the campaign introduced out an HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy across 10 of the Group's Leisure Industry companies in Sri Lanka covering more than 3,500 staff members, trained 26 John Keells staff as Master Trainers on HIV and AIDS, educated 6,358 persons across the island on HIV/AIDS through awareness sessions, and got recognized by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign received a fillip when it was highlighted recently in the 'Best practices by private sector in disease prevention and management - South West Asia Region' - a report compiled by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Friends of the Fund South and West Asia (FoSWA). The best practices book was launched recently in New Delhi, India at the Conference on Public Health issues in South West Asia.

The Group's CSR Head Lallith Ramanayake said, "This is an inspiring moment for both John Keells and the Sri Lankan business community, because this listing is an acknowledgement of what we have achieved as a private sector company and acts as a beacon to other Sri Lankan companies to join us in our quest to educate more and more Sri Lankan's on the prevention of the spread of this disease."