Dep. Minister Harsha joins Softlogic Finance to launch ‘Clean Zone’
View(s):Softlogic Finance PLC, responding to a national need for proper garbage disposal, the lack of which has been linked with many critical issues including high dengue prevalence, has embarked on a major effort which would eventually improve the cleanliness of a 100 km roadside extent and mobilise public support for waste segregation and recycling.
The campaign, which was ceremonially initiated on Monday, by Deputy Minister of Policy Planning, Economic Affairs, Child, Youth and Cultural Affairs, Harsha de Silva at the Softlogic Finance’s Nawala branch saw the declaration of the country’s first ‘Softlogic Finance Clean Zone’ – which would initially encompass a 500 m roadside extent to both sides of the branch.
This extent, which would soon be expanded to 1km to each side of the branch (thus 2km in total), would be cleaned at shorter intervals than before by municipal authorities, with whom Softlogic Finance is collaborating for this unique effort. Thus, once ‘Clean Zones’ are established in the vicinity of all Softlogic Finance branches and pawning centres spread across the island, with each contributing to improving the cleanliness of 2 km, in total a 100 km roadside extent would be made cleaner, the company said.
Softlogic Finance staff members were also mobilized in numbers to educate area residents in the vicinity of the Nawala Branch on the importance of segregating recyclable and non-recyclable garbage and proper waste disposal, including through the distribution of informative leaflets. While enlisting the support of area residents through means such as providing stickers certifying them to be members of Softlogic Finance’s ‘Clean Zone,’ to inculcate the habit of garbage segregation, the company has also placed separate bins in front of the branch to dispose plastic, bottles and non-recyclable waste.
“As a parliamentarian from the area, I appreciate Softlogic Finance PLC going beyond pursuit of profit, to genuinely assist the people in the vicinity,” Dr. de Silva said. “This is a commendable effort and I wish the company the best of luck in this endeavour.”