Lankan biz coalition to tackle HIV/AIDS

Twenty-one businesses have pledged to discuss Sri Lanka's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and create the Sri Lanka Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. The event which is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank is part of the 8th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia Pacific (ICAAP), in Colombo from today till August 23. CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Clive Haswell told The Sunday Times FT that 21 businesses have signed a pledge to establish a networking organization whose purpose is to connect together anyone who is employing people in Sri Lanka who can perform education and training and awareness of the HIV/AIDS disease. "The vision is to reach out to as many people as possible through their employers," Haswell said. The focus of the education is on prevention and how individuals protect themselves. Haswell added that the level of ignorance about the disease is very dangerous. The launch of the business coalition due on Tuesday is expected to be attended by 100 people. Haswell described the coalition as broad and influential but unlike a bureaucracy, it will be a network and resource provider.
(NG)