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Social
Impact Report - Our Community |
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Just as every individual has
a place in society and the community, so does SLT, as an institution.
We occupy a place in people’s lives, not just because
we provide them with products and services, unique thought they
may be since we are in the business of
putting people in touch with each other, but because we form
relationships that allow both parties to enter the life of the
other.
Their issues become ours and vice versa. The one needs the other.
And then, we share the world we live in, with all its pressing
needs of conservation and protection of vital resources.
We share common goals in reaching for a life of value and dignity;
a life of peace and prosperity within whatever social strata
we exist.
SLT is justifiably proud of its role in the wider community
of Sri Lanka.
Moulding Intellect
SLT continued to partner
The Asia Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation working
in Sri Lanka since 1954, in their “Books for Asia”
programme.
SLT recognised the vital
need that exists in Sri Lanka for providing the means for education
as well as the promotion of English as a link language. Therefore
the Company decided to make a substantial contribution to this
programme, which facilitated the
initial distribution of 60,000 books valued at over US$ 2 million.
SLT will evaluate the outcome of this initial contribution and
plan further involvement with this programme in the years ahead.
The Company’s contribution was the single largest corporate
donation the Foundation has received to date.
In July 2004, SLT joined
hands with The Asia Foundation once again under the Company’s
“Spreading the Wealth of Knowledge” programme. Identifying
the access to good books as a major requirement in the search
for knowledge and skills, the Company entered into an agreement
with The Asia Foundation to promote and provide practical opportunities
for the young and the elderly to gain access to knowledge and
learning.
The project kicked off in Anuradhapura where 250 English Language
books were donated to the Rajarata University’s library.
Then in August, 850 books were presented through the Mawanella
Provincial Council, whilst 150 books were presented to the Moratuwa
University. A further consignment of books was presented to
the Sarvodaya Movement.
The Company took its theme, “Spreading the Wealth of Knowledge”
even further afield and commemorated Reading Month by presenting
3,500 books to the Central Province Library Services Board,
in collaboration with The Asia Foundation. Another 2,000 books
were presented to the Technical College, Maradana.
There are, of course, other ways of moulding intellect and sharpening
wit. SLT presented a Challenge Trophy for the winners of the
Inter-Schools Debating Competition. Thirty schools participated
at this event which sought to hone their skills in the English
Language as well as develop competence and knowledge.
SLT sponsored the Sri Lankan delegation to the International
Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) in 2004. The team did extremely
well, winning 1 Gold and 3 Bronze medals. This event basically
tests technical skill in algorithmic programming, requiring
contestants
to compete individually in solving a set of programming issues.
The Company also sponsored the “Anatoly Karpov”
Chess Tournament conducted by the Russian Centre, Colombo.
The SLT - CIMA Partnership
For some years now, SLT has been partnering the Chartered Institute
of Management Accountants (CIMA) in furthering career opportunities
through the avenues of training provided by CIMA. This signifies
the working together of two top entities - SLT a top
corporate and CIMA the custodian of a global management accounting
qualification.
SLT signed an MoU with
CIMA which seeks to share and develop areas relating to professional
development in the Management and Information Technology sectors.
Both parties will focus on school children, school leavers,
graduates, postgraduates and professionals.
SLT came in as Strategic Partner for CIMA’s 26th National
Conference which was held on the theme, “The Quest for
Excellence - Leveraging Global Best Practices”.
The Company was once
again partnered by CIMA in holding a series of Career Guidance
seminars for youth. One programme was held for 200 first-year
undergraduates of the Colombo University whilst another addressed
200 third and fourth year undergraduates of the Communications
and Engineering faculties of the University of Moratuwa.
Partnering other Professional
Institutes
SLT collaborated with four other professional bodies, the Chartered
Institute of Management Accountants, the Chartered Institute
of Marketing, The Institute of Personnel Management and the
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators to present
a
mega-programme on the theme, “To be Number One”.
We partnered the ACCA to host “Mini Comfest” competitions
islandwide, as well as the National Competition.
Some other Highlights of the Year
The Company sponsored the 6th International Conference on Information
Technology (IITC) and the 2nd International Conference on e-Governance
(ICEG).
IITC was themed “From Research to Reality” and highlighted
the benefits of IT and Communications Technologies to Sri Lankan
society.
ICEG was themed, “From Policy to Reality” and sought
to demonstrate how electronic governance could re-engineer the
way governments dealt with problems, enhancing efficiency and
delivering services to the people in a more responsible manner.
Our staff have come
forward voluntarily on several occasions, to show they care
for their community. Many have been the contributions made by
way of aid to the distressed, uniforms for school children,
etc. They usually mark special days of religious or cultural
significance with such acts of kindness.
During the drought in 2004, staff came together under the banners
of the SLT Welfare Division and the SLT Buddhist Society to
distribute dry rations to 1,300 affected families. The aid totalling
Rs.1 million was distributed through several Buddhist Temples
in the area.
SLT has also worked with schools to introduce them to the Internet
and the abundant world of knowledge that can be accessed through
it. Called “Web Spinners Unite”, our programme of
activity for 2004 saw the Company reach out to 25 schools from
all parts of the island. Nine schools launched websites of their
own.
“SLT Team Leader” is the name of a programme the
Company has put forth to develop the correct personalities and
leadership qualities in school children. Styled “Grooming
the Youth”, the Company’s programme at St. Joseph
Vaz College, Wennappuwa
adopted a practical approach to instructing students on team
spirit, organising studies and achieving objectives.
In the sphere of arts and culture, SLT has stepped forward to
sponsor the rebuilding of the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya. An event
to raise funding and awareness “Nrithanjali” featuring
the Chitrasena-Vajira Dance Foundation was staged in 2004, under
the sponsorship of SLT.
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