Keells 1st supermarket chain and retailer to be awarded SLS COVID-19 Safety Management Certification

John Keells Group President Retail Charitha Subasinghe (third from left) receiving the certification from Sri Lanka Standard Institution Director General Dr. Siddhika G. Senaratne (fourth from left). Also present from left: Lasitha Fernando, Thushara Silva and Director (System Certification) Samanthie Narangoda from SLSI and Buddi Darmasena from Keells 

• Reassuring safety of customers and team members
• 10 stores obtain SLS certification, all other stores following same safety guidelines
• Approved action plan for safety measurements in case of future emergencies in community or country

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the way of life for all Sri Lankans, safety and hygiene has been at the forefront for all during these challenging times. Keells as retailer, has led the way with many measures to ensure the safety of customers, team members to the extent of even having guidelines for safe home deliveries from March onwards. 

The SLSI Certification for COVID-19 Safety Management Systems is a recognition culminating in the stringent health and safety practices implemented for the safety and wellbeing of customers, for the team at stores and supply chain.  It also includes an emergency action plan, to be carried out in case if more challenges need to be faced in the future. Currently, 10 stores have received certification and more stores in the pipeline to obtain the certificate with all store complying with the SLS safety protocols. 

John Keells Group President Retail Charitha Subasinghe said: “We understand that as a responsible retailer during these challenging times safety is of utmost importance to our customers as well as our team members. We wish to reassure our customers that we have taken every measure possible to ensure a safe shopping experience and to our team members that we are safe place to work at. This SLS certification is a further reassurance in our journey to establish such safety measures and build confidence for customers to shop at Keells.”