Sarvodaya Development Finance participates in Sri Lanka’s first-ever hiking competition
View(s):Sarvodaya Development Finance (SDF) recently took part in Sri Lanka’s first-ever hiking competition, the “Thornton Hike 2019” organised by Thornton Hike Event Management Company.
The Thornton Hike 2019, a journey through wilderness of Sri Lanka, was organised in aid of raising much-needed funds to build sanitary facilities for West Haputale Primary School where hundreds of schoolchildren of the area currently pursue their primary education.
“Ensuring employee health and wellbeing is an important part of the Sarvodaya Finance work culture. The company goes to great lengths to create a positive and safe work environment for all employees and advocates a healthy lifestyle through a combination of physical activity and balanced diet. As a result, the new SDF Head Office includes a fully equipped gym as well as Zumba and Yoga classes for the team to enjoy work-life balance. Regular company sporting events as well as support and encouragement to participate in new events such as the Thornton Hike 2019 benefits the employees and helps builds an environment of teamwork and cooperation,” the company said in a media release.
The hike also helps promote tourism in Sri Lanka by highlighting the stunning landscapes, mountainous trails and breathtaking viewpoints found in the island. It connected and extended the trails and view areas from uphill of Bambarakanda Falls – Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall – through Horton Plains National Park, including the Mini and Great World’s End drops, Nagrak Estate, Devil’s Staircase as well as the Ohiya village and Ohiya Railway Station.
The competition, open to individuals and 3-member teams, drew a large number of adventurous hikers from all parts of the island. After several hours on the grueling trail, the winning team reached the finished line to a warm welcome, taking home cash prizes and return air tickets while numerous other prizes were also on offer for top-performing participants.
Commenting on the company’s participation in this one-of-a-kind, Channa de Silva – Chairman of Sarvodaya Development Finance stated, “Our employees are our most important asset and we have always nurtured a work culture that focuses on promoting a healthy body and mind. Sri Lanka has so much to offer visitors than beaches, wildlife and cultural wonders, and it is important that we educate and inform both local and foreign tourists about the country’s adventure tourism destinations,” he added.