Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd. joined hands with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society – Gampaha Branch, to conduct a community flood relief operation across areas of Yabaraluwa, Mabima, Bollagala, Thelwatta, Pattiwila and Ambaraluwa within Biyagama, which were severely affected by the recent rains and flooding. Coca-Cola and Sri Lanka Red Cross’ flood relief operations for the Biyagama community benefitted several hundred families across 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions. The Company responded to the flood affected victim’s needs for drinking water, emergency medical and first aid supplies and conducted a well-cleaning initiative in order to provide clean, uncontaminated water so families could return to their normal lives without delay.
Commenting on the flood relief operations, Ruwan Abeywardene – Branch Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Red Cross Gampaha said, “Vulnerable communities in the Gampaha District once again suffered during the recent floods due to the incessant rains. We are extremely thankful to Coca-Cola for continuing to support our within 24-hour emergency relief efforts in providing disaster relief operations annually. Their volunteering efforts is something we genuinely admire and appreciate as they dedicate their time to work alongside our teams, as they have done since 2016, with the emergency distribution of bottled water and emergency medical services and first aid items. It reflects the Company’s steadfast commitment to the community in which it operates.”
Coca-Cola urgently allocated during the first stage, thousands of 1L Kinley Water Bottles, emergency first aid and medical. These were distributed on-foot, by boat and using double-cabs to victims restricted by the floodwaters.
During the second stage, an urgent and much needed well-cleaning programme was initiated soon after identifying the contaminated wells in Biyagama. 300 wells were cleaned across 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Biyagama during the flood relief operation bringing much needed relief to 300 families and households. This programme included well cleaning, disinfecting and certifying through the technical support of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Gampaha Branch and inspection by Public Health Inspectors.
Furthermore, bottled water was handed over to the Grama Niladhari of Yaburuluwa North, to be included with food aid packs to flood affected households. The recommended amount of drinking is 5 litres and hence, each family received 5 bottles of 1L Kinley water for their regular consumption. The Divisional Secretary alongside the Coca-Cola team members at the Grama Niladhari Yaburuluwa North office attended this distribution.
Lakshan Madurasinghe – Country Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd. added, “Our heart goes out to the families affected by the recent floods. Coca-Cola has always believed in inclusive and sustainable development and cares about the local community where it operates. We are glad to be of help in providing support to our community members during their times of trial and difficulty. We are also grateful to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Gampaha Branch, the local Public Health Inspectors of the Ministry of Health, the Grama Niladharis and the Biyagama Divisional Secretary, whose help made it possible to successfully execute these interventions to those in need.”