Cinnamon Lakeside commemorates World Environment Day with Beira Lake initiative

Friday, 6 June 2014 03:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reputed for its environment-friendly policies resulting in it being the first five star city hotel in Colombo to receive the prestigious international Green Globe Certification, and the only hotel in Sri Lanka to sustain the certification for four consecutive years; Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo commemorated World Environment Day 2014 by organising a clean-up of the water and surrounding areas of the Beira Lake. World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. The significance of World Environment Day has grown over the years highlighting the importance of a wide range of environmental issues we face today with this year’s theme being “International Year of Small Island Developing States”. In keeping with the John Keells Leisure Sector pledge of “I will be Green” Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo believes it is vital to do its best to contribute and reduce the environmental issues faced every day by actively engaging its guests, associates and community on environmental issues. As a part of its green drive which is spearheaded by an environmental task force, the hotel regularly invests in training sessions, emails and posters to increase awareness associates.

The Beira Lake is one of the few urban refuges for aquatic birds in the city central with species such as the pelicans, egrets, king fishers and sea eagles frequently sighted at the lake. The Beira clean-up initiative will help to reduce the risk of threat to these species that inhabit the Beira Lake and surrounding areas. Speaking about the project, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo General Manager Denis Gruhier said: “The Beira Lake initiative is a prime example of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s and John Keells pledges to be green. This clean-up is a coming together of the private and public sectors to maintain and protect the environment and wildlife around the lake. This is not just about the beautification of the city centre but a goal to always be in the forefront of Sustainability and environmental efforts.” The Beira clean-up was headed by Assistant Manager Quality Certifications Thivanka Thabrew and conducted with the help of hotel associates, the Ministry of Defense and the Sri Lanka Navy, Army and Air Force. The engineering department of the hotel constructed 10 leaf nets similar to those used to clean pools, which were then distributed to those taking part in the project. Using boats provided by the army and navy, associates and military personnel collected all debris from around the lake and at the end of the project, all garbage bags were collected and around 1,200 kilos of debris was weighed before disposal. “As Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is located on the banks of the Beira Lake, and it is moreover a part of the hotel’s name, it is our responsibility to maintain the area not just for ourselves but to ensure a clean and green environment for all. We hope this initiative will encourage more occurrences where the private and public sectors can come together for green sustainability and other worthy causes such as this,” stated Thabrew. Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is strong in its conviction that creating awareness is the key to strengthening green initiatives and is continually developing these initiatives in order to maintain and contribute to a greener Sri Lanka.