Coca-Cola Sri Lanka dedicates water supply system to Kalutara residents

Coca-Cola Sri Lanka’s employee volunteerism team – ‘Say We Care’ – recently dedicated a new water supply system to the residents of the village Athulekanda in Pahathakada, Kalutara. The residents had been struggling for a clean and adequate source of water and walked 160 feet on rocky terrain 15 to 20 times a day for their basic needs. The Coca-Cola Sri Lanka team of volunteers helped raise funds to build a water supply system that will uplift and revive the community.

MP Vidura Wickramanayake dedicated the new water systems to the community in the presence of Kapila Welmillage – Country Manager, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited and Abhishek Jugran – Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives – Coca-Cola Far East Limited.

Pradeshiya Sabha members, Athulekanda community members, Grama Sabha members and members of the Buddhist clergy were also present at the dedication ceremony along with the ‘Say We Care’ team members and Coca-Cola Sri Lanka Associates.

Wickramanayake honoured Coca-Cola Sri Lanka for its efforts and appreciated the work that was done for the Athulekanda community.

Welmillage said: “‘Say We Care’ is a unique concept in employee volunteerism and our team’s efforts are improving the lives of the community members around us. We are very proud of what the team has been able to achieve with regards to providing access to clean water to the people of Kalutara, which is a fundamental necessity of life.”

The project, with the theme of ‘Water – The source of life,’ was launched in response to the pleas of 60 poverty stricken families who live in Pahathakada, Kalutara. Their daily struggles include the collection of clean drinking water for basic needs such as drinking and cooking.

The ‘Say We Care’ team raised funds through various efforts that included a stage drama and sale of novelties of Coke branded pen drives, t-shirts and wrist bands to raise funds to build the water supply system. Through these efforts, more than 280 residents can benefit from an uninterrupted supply of water. Jugran said: “Access to water and water replenishment are focus area for The Coca-Cola Company across the world and we undertake a number of initiatives in this regard in Sri Lanka as well. Today’s initiative is exceptional because it involves the employees of our Company, who have come together to raise funds and provided access to clean water to Athulekanda’s residents. We hope that the water systems benefit the village and will help the community develop a sustainable and positive future.” ‘Say We Care’ is a unique project, undertaken by the employees of Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka, who actively participate by dedicating their free time, labour and energy into ensuring the completion of the project. The project at Athulekanda saw the participation of plumbers, electricians and other staff member of Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited, who committed their time and skills to complete the project.

‘Say We Care’ is an employee volunteerism project of Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited. Conceived in 2007, each year the ‘Say We Care’ team raises funds and spends time effort and resources to complete one project for the betterment of the community.

Some of the projects completed in the past years by the ‘Say We Care’ team are a play area in the Maharagama Cancer hospital, renovations to the Ranaviru Sevana hospital, renovations and sanitation facilities to Moragahapallama Vidyalaya – Ampara, the upliftment of Yabaraluwa Vidyalaya – Malwana and rebuilding ward No. 6 at the Ragama Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital.