Nestlé Lanka promotes responsible waste management amongst school children

Senior Category winners

Junior Category winners

Nestlé Lanka’s Schools Art Competition, under the theme of ‘A greener environment through the eyes of children’ successfully concluded recently. 

This competition was organized in celebration of World Environment Day, together with the Ministry of Education and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). 

The Art Competition was conducted as part of theSchool Waste Management Programme, an initiative which helps create awareness on responsible waste disposal in the future generation of Sri Lanka. The programme reached approximately 400,000 students in over 800 schools around the country this year. 

An event was held on 25 June at President’s College - Kotte, to recognize and award the winners selected. The event was graced by Anton Jayakodi, Deputy Minister of Environment, Professor Tilak Hewawasam, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority, Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka and officials representing the partnering entities and President’s College - Kotte, including the Principal, Bhagya Rupasinghe.

“The Schools Art Competition is a commendable initiative that encourages children to embrace responsible waste management from an early age. By engaging young minds through creativity, it not only raises awareness but also instils values of environmental stewardship. I am pleased to see Nestlé actively supporting our shared vision of a Clean Sri Lanka, playing a meaningful role in fostering positive behavioural change among the youth” commented Anton Jayakodi, Deputy Minister of Environment.

“The School Waste Management Programme is an important initiative in our journey towards creating a waste-free future. Educating schoolchildren on responsible waste management plays a vital role in strengthening waste segregation and collection systems, while also fostering positive behavioural change from an early age,” said  Bernie Stefan, Managing Director, Nestlé Lanka.

Sharing his thoughts, Professor Tilak Hewawasam, Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority said, “It’s inspiring to witness the participation of talented young artists from across the island. At a time when plastic pollution poses a significant environmental challenge, this initiative serves as a powerful platform to engage and empower children.”

Winners of the two categories are below;

Junior: First Place – D.M. Adithya Induranga Senarath, Dutugemunu Maha Vidyalaya Pothuhera; Second Place – A.G. Jayamini Sankalpana Dissanayake, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya Polonnaruwa and Third Place – D.G. Saumya Harshi Kumari, Matale Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya Nagolla. 

Senior: First Place – W.M.S. Yehani Weerasinghe, Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya; Second Place – K. Shashini Pabasara, Ananda Balika Vidyala Polonnaruwa and Third Place – K.K. Sathmi Tharumila Chandrasekara, Ferguson High School Rathnapura.