CSR Lanka held its 6th AGM focusing on “Sustainable CSR in the Digital Age”

Left to Right : Mr. Lakshan Madurasinghe - Director, Mrs. Gayani De Alwis - Director, Mr. Mahesh Wijewardene - Director, Mr. Chandula Abeywickrema - Chairman,  Mr. Rizvi Zaheed – Vice Chairman, Mr. Rohan Pandithakorralage - Director, Mr. Bandula Nissanka - Director.

CSR Lanka (Guarantee) Limited held its 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 29th August 2019 from 4.00 pm onwards at The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The Chief Guest of the event was Dr. Nirmal De Silva who is a thought leader, a specialist in SME, Social Enterprise & Leadership Power Play. He is also a strong advocate of Women & Youth empowerment and an impact investor as well.

Mr. Chandula Abeywickrema – Chairman & Impact Investor, Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN) was re-elected as the Chairman of the CSR Lanka while Mr. Rizvi Zaheed, Director, Vidullanka PLC was elected as the Vice Chairman and Seven other members were selected to serve in the Board of CSR Lanka as Directors. Mr. Rohan Pandithakorralage- Director/Chief Human Resources Officer, Aitken Spence PLC, Mr. Mahesh Wijewardene - Director, Sales and Commercial Singer Sri Lanka PLC, Mr. Tharaka Ranwala - Senior Deputy General Manager, Consumer Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, Ms. Sanjeewani De Silva Ranasinghe – Head of  Corporate Affairs / Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank. Mrs. Gayani De Alwis  - Chairperson CILT, Global Vice Chairperson WiLAT and Board member WCIC, Mr. Bandula Nissanka – A Consultant and Former Economic Advisor USAID, Mr. Lakshan Madurasinghe - Director - Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited.

CSR Lanka was formed in May 2013 with the pioneering initiative of United States Agency for International Development known as (USAID) and equally committed seven corporate leaders from Sri Lankan leading corporates. With the number of multi stake holder collaborations from the corporate sector and multilateral agencies, the leadership of CSR Lanka is committed to engage the Sri Lankan corporate sector on economic, social and environmental transformation that can impact the Sri Lankan people, economy and the environment. To that effect, the Board of Directors of CSR Sri Lanka signed a charter pledging to practice and spearhead their mission of providing strategic guidance and necessary resources to create long term sustainable value of CSR efforts of the corporate sector.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Dr. De Silva delivered a presentation on the topic “Sustainable CSR in the Digital Age”. During the speech he pointed out that the key question to look at is that what is there in your organization’s DNA? He said that there are 4 approaches to CSR, some companies take it as strategic point of view, some defensive, some cost benefit driven or some would take it as an innovative & learning oriented. He further encouraged companies to look at it from the responsive perspective as well as CSR point of view rather than just looking at it on a strategic oriented. He stated that organizations need to think on how to translate this in to their individual employee’s mindset as well as organizational DNA. He pointed out that in most of the organization’s top management or Sustainability head understand the concept but unfortunately how many companies take actions to include about CSR in their induction programs.

Rizvi Zaheed, the Vice Chairman of CSR Lanka shared a presentation on the CSR Lanka activities and delivered the vote of thanks which marked the end of the formalities of the session, leading to a lengthy gathering of networking over refreshments.

Among the guests were members of CSR Lanka, invitees from various institutions and the Board members of CSR Lanka.