Hayleys Fabric gives CKD affected Rathmalgahawewa, Anuradhapura gift of life through drinking water

With the opening of its 11th RO Plant, the Hayleys Puritas Sath Diyawara project daily provides 110,000 litres of drinking water to 25,000 people, in 16 villages 

Hayleys Plc Chairman and Chief Executive  Mohan Pandithage, being led by tiny ushers to declare the plant open

Haycarb Plc Managing Director Rajitha Kariyawasan, Hayleys Plc Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage and Hayleys Fabric Plc Managing Director and CEO Rohan Goonetilleke declaring the 11th RO Plant open.

The evening was crisp and cool with the softest of breezes brushing faces. The darkened sky was decorated with the crescent moon and the sparkle of stars. The residents, both young and old, of Rathmalgahawewa – a village, deep in the heart of Anuradhapura, showcased their many talents on the stage set for them. Older villagers danced with gusto while the fluid movements of their younger village members and one girl’s hauntingly beautiful voice which rose into the night sky, had the audience mesmerised. 

However, despite the serenity of the temple grounds and the beaming faces of the children surrounding them, there was an underlying sense of loss and tragedy. Just a week before, a family had lost their father who succumbed to the dreaded Chronic Kidney Failure (CKD). Hayleys Fabric in a bid to lessen their burden gave the son and daughter he left behind, scholarships for their education. The devastating reality of CKD was so palpable in this seemingly idyllic little village. The joy and relief of the residents at receiving this truly life-giving water was equally tangible. It might have been too late for those who couldn’t make it but to those who survived, new life, renewed hope and a future with their families is now made possible with Hayleys Puritas Sath Diyawara. 

For most of us drinking water, is abundantly available and at times taken for granted. However to many, in certain parts of the country this most basic of human needs is a luxury they cannot afford. Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Kirigallawe Gnanaloka Thero, Chief Priest of the Sri Alokapabbatharamaya Temple who graciously donated a portion of the temple land for the RO Plant, spoke of his own personal loss and hardship which he faced due to the severe lack of drinkable water. He himself had endured the tragedy of losing his very own mother and brother to CKD. He also elaborated on the difficulties the villagers encountered and how many hours it would take them to fetch just two buckets of water per day and how it would disrupt day-to-day life and the education of children.  In addition the Chief Priests of five temples in Horana also graciously attended the opening to offer their blessings. Venerable Pasdun Koralage Upapradana Sanganayaka Shasthrapthi Rajakeeya Panditha Poojya Poruwadande Sumana Thero, of the Warakagoda Gallena Temple, also addressed the gathering and shared his appreciation of this endeavour. This clearly portrays the meaningful relationships that Hayleys Fabric pro-actively nurtures with the community of Horana, where its factory and offices are located.

Hayleys strategically chose Puritas Sath Diyawara as its Flagship CSR project due to the increasing prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), particularly in the North Central Province of the country. CKD is estimated to have affected around 400,000 individuals (roughly 10%-15% of the population in the areas) and has claimed more than 22,000 lives and is found to be spreading rapidly to Northern, North Western, Eastern and Uva Provinces. In addition to this loss of life, it is estimated that approximately 2.8 million people are at risk of contracting this deadly disease.  Hayleys Puritas Sath Diyawara, was initiated and launched by Puritas, a subsidiary of the Purification Sector of Hayleys, and now multiple sectors of the Hayleys Group sponsor the project, greatly extending its scale and impact, with the most recent project being sponsored by Hayleys Fabric. The objective of Puritas Sath Diyawara is to combat the rising prevalence of CKD by leveraging the company’s expertise in water purification, to prevent further spread of the disease whilst reversing the conditions of the existing patients. 

Puritas Sath Diyawara has reached 16 villages and now helps over 25,000 people in CKD affected areas in the North and North Central provinces. To date, the Group has invested over Rs. 44 million and commissioned 11 Reverse Osmosis plants which provide access to 110,000 litres of purified water per day. In recognition of these efforts Puritas Sath Diyawara was awarded the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards in 2015. 

As the second phase of this project, ‘Going Beyond’ addresses the socio economic needs of the affected villages through knowledge dissemination and empowerment. Key initiatives carried out include provision of infrastructure and facilities for school children, empowering youth and women, building awareness on sustainable ways of waste management/re-greening villages and uplifting domestic entrepreneurship.