Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC, manufacturer and marketer of Caltex branded Lubricants in Sri Lanka, recently joined hands with the Salvation Army for the annual HIV& AIDs families’ get-together.
Over 400 families from this community participated from island-wide. Caltex has worked previously on several HIV/AIDs prevention programmes, according to a company statement.
“This special event was designed to provide the opportunity for the HIV/AIDS infected community to reach out to one another. Infected families from AIDs organizations such as Lanka Pulse, Positive Women Network and Positive Hope Allianz were amongst those who participated. Children below the age of 10 also participated,” it said.
“All Sri Lankans need to join hands to fight against HIV/AIDS. It is important for each one of us to advocate a change through awareness, whilst managing the social stigma factor in a sensible manner. Due to the issue of social stigma, proper preventative and curative treatment is avoided by most individuals,” noted Kishu Gomes, Managing Director/CEO of Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC.
Ms.Swarna De Silva, Coordinator, HIV & AIDs from the Salvation Army, said communities respond in fear and are deliberately ignorant to issues related to HIV and AIDS. Integrating this community, and giving them hope and confidence will help them to interct with the society and contribute meaningfully again. |