Fashion Bug presented with award in recognition of ‘Sisu Dirimaga Foundation’

Assistant Manager Marketing S.M. Faham, Deputy General Manager Dr. S.H.M. Faraaz, Director Marketing Shabier Subian, all of Fashion Bug and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera 

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retailers with over 17 outlets island-wide, was recognised for the work carried via its ground breaking Sisu Dirimaga Foundation, including its career guidance program for GCE A/L students and school leavers, the drinking water project that was completed and presented to the Ovitigamuwa Maha Vidyalaya, the donation of the computer unit to the Thumbe Kanishta Vidyalaya and the sponsorship of the Dhammikka Kithulgoda scholarship foundation. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera presented them with an award at an A/L seminar, which was held at St. Thomas Collage, Matara. This event was also fully sponsored by Fashion Bug. Professor E.A. Illeperuma conducted the program at St. Thomas College, Matara, for over 1,000 A/L Science and Mathematics students, with discussions using past examination papers on the subject of Chemistry.

Fashion Bug has conducted the career guidance programs under the Sisu Dirimaga Foundation in a total of 20 schools to date, with over 7,000 students having participated in them. “The Sisu Dirimaga Foundation is a sustainable CSR platform as opposed to miscellaneous one-off projects that lack long-term objectives. The Sisu Dirimaga program will ensure that all our projects stem from one key platform, establishing a clear CSR identity for Fashion Bug as a responsible corporate citizen, as well as bettering the prospects of rural school leavers. 

“Moreover, developing underprivileged schools in rural areas through mobilising of projects, upholding and financially enabling underprivileged students who excel academically, enabling the dreams of those with the desire to learn and making a reality of education for all no matter your circumstances, is our goal. We will be conducting these programs in over 120 schools island-wide, and over 100,000 students will benefit as a result,” said Fashion Bug Director and Sisu Dirimaga program Founder Shabier Subian.

In addition, Fashion Bug is also involved in several other CSR projects which include the Kalubowila Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Ragama Hospital and an environmental project in Kurunegala, namely ‘Thuru Sahasak’ and ‘Puruduwanna’.

Fashion Bug was founded in 1994 in Bandarawela with a seven-member team, the first shop being a mere 500 square feet in Bandarawela town. The brainchild of its founders, Rizal and Ashan Subian and A.C.M. Tharick, today it has evolved into a household brand that boasts of 17 outlets island-wide. 

Fashion Bug currently numbers over 1,250 Sri Lankan men and women amongst its staff, who hail from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities; hence they constitute a truly Sri Lankan corporate entity. An equal opportunity employer, Fashion Bug prides itself on the fact that they invest in their employees, which they believe is a key to their success. 

Very high on the company’s list of priorities is the preservation of racial and ethnic harmony and unity which is evidenced by the fact that all communities and religions work side by side at Fashion Bug’s outlets and factories. While the development of Fashion Bug as a premiere retail outlet is an ongoing process, CSR is very much at the core of the company’s day to day operations and of prime consideration in the overall corporate strategy.