The Hambantota International Port (HIP) completed yet another event on their CSR calendar yesterday, with the distribution of essential household items and food to Samurdhi recipients in the Hambantota district. The port reached out to its surrounding underprivileged communities with US$ 100,000/- worth of essential items under this initiative.
“Our programs are usually geared towards a more sustainable approach where we are working with these communities to help them develop livelihoods, so that they can be an active part of the supply chain. However, we also know that under the current conditions we need to be helping directly with daily essentials,” says Johnson Liu, CEO, HIPG. The CEO added that the port was wholly invested in building the lives of surrounding communities, as much as developing and expanding its business operations. “We have always been caring towards people around us and are taking a systemic approach to their development and wellbeing. Our intention is to create more jobs for the region, and the wellbeing of our surrounding communities is a vital part of our work.” The CEO says the port’s surrounding communities will reap the benefits of the development work spearheaded by HIPG.
This initiative was carried out through the “Sammawayama,” Social Welfare Foundation of the Galwila Temple. 9 major temples belonging to the foundation participated in HIP’s initiative and the distribution was carried out in 7 divisions via 6 centres connected to the respective temples. 1250 underprivileged families amongst these communities received packs of essential food items while 700 children attending Dhahampasal received stationery items for school. This is a follow on to the support HIPG provides the Buddhist temples in the districts in the form of supplying a meal to children attending the Sunday schools from 2018.The project is. sponsored by China Merchant Foundation (CMF), the CSR arm of the China Merchant Group and coordinated by HIP. The initiative had the participation of the entire company, with each department taking responsibility for a centre.
The Ven. speaking on the sidelines of the event said the HIPG initiative, was meritorious and in line with the precepts of Buddhism, which speaks about alleviating poverty. “The Hambantota Port has helped all its surrounding temples in one way or the other, and that is something we greatly appreciate. Our foundation’s name ‘Sammawayama’ means an effort to provide sustenance to the needy because as it is written ‘there is no point in preaching sermons while people are hungry.’ While Nirvana is our ultimate goal we need to do good to others in our path to reach it. That is the intent of our foundation and we greatly appreciate the port’s contribution.”
Sriyani Seneviratne, a villager from Pahala Beragama area says although she and her family of 4 are Samurdhi recipients, their income is not sufficient to meet their daily needs. “We are a family of 4 and my sons worked as contract labourers to earn a living but that kind of work is no longer available. Getting these essential items from the port, especially at this difficult time, will help us to meet our daily food requirements.”
On 27th May 2022, HIPG marked the symbolic beginning of their flagship community development project, ‘Hope Village.’ The Hambantota Port Hope Village concept is to build communities to get involved in animal husbandry and agriculture so that they could use it for their daily needs as well as sell the excess produce. The purpose is to uplift the rural community and improve living conditions of people in the area.
“A certain portion of the produce will also be sold to the Hambatota International Port for the use of our living-in staff,” says Jeevan Premasara, Senior General Manager, Human Resources and Administration.
The port has been involved in a series of projects for the betterment of the surrounding community. The human-elephant peace project is ongoing in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Divisional Secretariat to mitigate the issue.