Kanrich Finance’s unique CSR project targets reduction of plastic and polythene usage at Kandy Perah

Central Environmental Authority Project Director (Pilisaru) Bandula Sarath Kumara being handed over a token contribution of recycled garbage collection bags for the Urumaya CSR project by Kanrich Finance Manager, Savings Hiranya Warnakulasooriya and Kanrich Finance CSR Operational Manager Manoj Wariyagoda 

One of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing finance companies, Kanrich Finance, is launching a unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to promote the minimal use of plastic bottles and polythene bags during the annual perahera in Kandy. Deeply rooted within the community, Kanrich Finance regularly engages itself in sustainable activities that have a beneficial impact on society and environment. 

The CSR project titled ‘Urumaya’ will be carried out in partnership with the Central Environmental Authority. As part of this initiative, the company will monitor the visitors to the Kandy ‘perahera’ and encourage them to hand over their polythene bags and plastic bottles at the venue, so that they do not pollute the heritage city. This project is being carried out in response to the realisation that the city of Kandy gets polluted with discarded plastic and polythene bags during the annual event, which is harming the rich bio-diversity of this historical location.

Kanrich Finance will distribute posters and leaflets in the run up to the perahera, to raise awareness amongst the public about the harmful effects of using plastic and polythene. Radio announcements will also be made to educate people about the need to minimise the polythene and plastic they bring with them to the perahera. In turn, the company plans to recycle the plastic and polythene collected at the venue. Kanrich CSR teams will be on hand for all five days at the perahera to collect plastic bags from visitors after the event. 

On handing over their plastic and polythene bags, people will be given coupons which they should preserve, as a raffle draw will be held each day and winners announced via radio and social media platforms.

Kanrich Finance CEO Shiran Weerasinghe commented, “We are proud to spearhead this CSR project in a heritage city like Kandy and that too at such a culturally important event such as the annual perahera which attracts thousands of visitors from Sri Lanka and abroad. Our Urumaya CSR project is directed at preserving the bio diversity of the city and to protect the environment and the flora and fauna for future generations. As a company, Kanrich Finance is committed to sustainable operations and we are confident this intervention will raise awareness amongst people about the need to reduce use of plastics as they are non-biodegradable and harm the environment. This project is being propelled by the entire company staff and we hope to impact the environment and the community is a positive way with this initiative.”