Ceylon Chamber’s ‘Best Corporate Citizen’ competition transforms CSR agenda of Lankan corporates

Hayleys PLC, the Grand Slam Winner of the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2016’, says a sustainable way is the only way to operate a successful business.
This was stated by Ms. Imara De Chickera, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Sustainability of Hayleys, speaking at the briefing session, conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to launch its ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2017’ this week.
Hayley’s PLC, which won a total of 6 awards at the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2016’ along with the Grand Slam Award, has been a consistent participant of the competition, until it won the most coveted title last year.
“Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success,’ Ms. Chickera said, according to a media release issued by the chamber.
Hayleys believes the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award, which is held for the 14th consecutive year has helped transform the sustainability agendas of the Sri Lankan corporate firms.
Hayleys PLC, which has a 32,000 employee base, operates a multiple of business ventures which are sustainable by nature, revealed Ms. De Chickera, who heads the conglomerate’s Communication and Sustainability division.
The group operates several sustainably aligned projects such as renewable energy plants, which generates 50 MW of energy and purifies four million litres of raw water, 8.2 million litres of wastewater and 14.4 million litres of sewage every single day. 
The company also produces activated carbon out of coconut shell waste, which Ms. De Chikera says “Is a magical, sustainable product with myriad purposes - such as air and water purification and is also an effective poison antidote and detoxifier’. 
She also advised the potential competitors of the competition to ensure that they account and report every small step taken towards creating a sustainable business environment, and points out that all matters in the final count.
“Telling your story is vital. And lastly finding the hidden gems that others may think are not significant enough, could be the biggest advantage that you have,” Ms. De Chickera said.