Sri Lanka's safest workplaces receive prestigious National Safety Awards

2010 National Safety Award winners with Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Labour Relations & Productivity Improvement,  Shah Rouf, Managing Director of AVIVA NDB Insurance on his left,  W.J.L.U. Wijeyaweera, Commissioner General of Labour and  K.M.A. Godawatte, Chairman of Employees Trust Fund Board on his right.

The presentation of the prestigious National Safety Awards to recognise and reward the safest workplaces in the country was held at a glittering event attended by leading corporate top management, at which Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Labour Relations and Productivity Improvement was the Chief Guest.   Melbourne Textile Washing Plant (Pvt) Ltd of Wattala emerged as the proud All Island Winner in the Large Scale Category securing the topmost coveted position as the country's safest workplace.  Glaxo Wellcome Ceylon won the first place under the Medium Scale category while Asia Power Station in Sapugaskanda became the Small Scale winner.  The All Island runners up were Noyon Lanka, Malwana (Large Scale), Smithkline Beecham (Medium Scale) and BWSC Lanka (Small Scale).  Fonterra Brands Lanka, (Large) Melbourne Textile Washing Plant Mahiyangana (Medium) and BASF Lanka (Small) were the Merit Award winners. 

In the Sectoral Awards, under Manufacturing & Processing, the winner was Kelani Cables, runner-up, Holcim Lanka, Galle and merit award winner, Hemas Manufacturing, Dankotuwa.  MAS Active, Linea Intimo, Malwana was the winner, Bodyline, Horana, the runner-up and Shadowline, Contourline division, Pallekelle, received the merit award under Apparel & Allied industries. 

 Under Engineering Services, Ace Power Generation Horana became the winner with Ceylon Electricity Board's Randenigala Power Station as runner-up and CEB's Rantembe Power Station receiving the merit award. Strathspey Estate, Upcot received the merit award for Tea & Plantations.  
Winning at the National Safety Awards has become the benchmark of an accident free workplace, leading to improved organisational and national productivity.  National Safety Awards was evolved by AVIVA NDB Insurance to encourage accident-free workplaces and enhance safety standards in the country. The award is presented in collaboration with two state organisations, the Department of Labour and the Employees Trust Fund Board. 
Managing Director of AVIVA NDB, Shah Rouf said: "National Safety Awards is an accepted barometer of performance and productivity and a solid framework for corporate accountability.  Winning the award demonstrates exemplary professionalism in the arena of industrial safety that the country can be proud of at a national level."

"The objective of presenting the award is to make all employers realise the importance of creating a safe working environment not only to safeguard employees, but also to appreciate that safety in the workplace results in improved productivity and profitability which makes good business sense and yields significant economic benefits to the nation" commented Amal Perera, General Manager, Marketing and Customer Management, of AVIVA NDB.
Applicants to the award were required to fill in a comprehensive questionnaire which was then carefully validated by a team of top safety professionals who conducted site visits.  Participants gain a great deal on evaluating the safety measures in their workplace because they are required to submit documents related to safety systems in place,  injury records, investigations of accidents, fire protection and other methods of ensuring safety for employees. 

All island awards were presented to large scale (over 250 employees), medium scale (125-249 employees) and small scale (25-124 employees) organisations.  In addition sector awards were awarded to organisations engaged in plantation, apparel & allied industries, manufacturing & processing and engineering services.

National Safety Awards was launched in 1994 and is held every 2 years, sponsored by the Company as a part of its Corporate Responsibility endeavours.   The Company has set up a multi-million trust fund to ensure the continuity of the award.