‘HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma’ to drive positive social change through proper sanitation in 2019

Harpic – Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Management presenting the Harpic Mission Wellbeing mission statement to Additional Provincial Director of Education – Western Province Wimal Gunaratne (from left):Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Harpic Senior Brand Manager Chathurika Fonseka, Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Head of Marketing and Trade Marketing Jude Martino, Additional Provincial Director of Education – Western Province Wimal Gunaratne, Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Commercial Director Sinclair Cruse, Harpic Brand Ambassador Saranga Dissasekara

Leading hygiene brand and household name, Harpic, last week announced their plans for 2019 under the ‘HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma: Mission Wellbeing’ initiative, aiming to drive a new nationwide social movement to improve sanitation and public wellbeing. 

By arming the public across Sri Lanka with knowledge, awareness and improved sanitation facilities, Harpic aims to createa positive change throughout the countrywith the ultimate objective of building a healthier and happier nation. The announcement of the initiative took place at a media conference held in Colombo, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

Speaking at the event, Reckitt Benckiser Commercial Director Sinclair Cruse said, “As a brand, Harpic has been dedicated to uplifting the hygiene and sanitary standards of our nation through ‘HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma: Mission Wellbeing’. We have been conducting a wide range of activities from building and renovating sanitation facilities, to providing mobile sanitation facilities and door-to-door educational campaigns throughout thepast five years to achieve this objective.”

“WhileSri Lanka ranks above its South Asian neighbours when it comes to sound hygiene and sanitation practices, we as a nation still have a long way to go and a lot more to do.Taking to heart our responsibility as a corporate citizen of this country, Reckitt Benckiser willdo it’s very best tohelp the Government achieve their goals in this regard. That is why we are happy to take our initiative a step further by upping our game this year with an even more effective mission,” he said. 

Harpic aims to reach out to over1.5 million Sri Lankans this year through their various CSR initiatives under ‘HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma: Mission Wellbeing’. Thesewill be executed under four main categories;building toilet facilities for schools and households; building, renovating and supporting the maintenance of public sanitation facilities at important locations and providing mobile toilet facilities at over 10 major religious and cultural events throughout the year.Emphasising more on the communication aspect of the initiatives this year,Harpic will endeavour to convert their efforts into a social movement striving for a healthier nation through proper sanitation. The extensive communication drive will aim to build awareness and educate the society on the importance of proper hygiene by creating more awareness on the correct toilet etiquettes, paving way for a strong social movement.

Expressing her thoughts on their plans for this year, Harpic Senior Brand Manager Chathurika Fonseka said, “2019 marks a special milestone for Harpic as we take HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma: Mission Wellbeing to new levels. As a socially conscious brand, we are happy to announce that various Harpic CSR initiatives will be conducted every month of the year, reaching out to millions of Sri Lankans. HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma is continuing its mission this year with renewed vigour. We believe as a brand, this provides us with a meaningful way to connect with our customers.”

Saranga Dissasekara, popular actor and the brand ambassador for Harpic also had a few words to share: “It gives me great pleasure to be part of Harpic’s drive for a healthier nation through good sanitation as we really endeavour to create a social movement through this. While I applaud Harpic and Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Ltd. for their commitment to this cause, I would also like to stress on our responsibility as the public in this regard. It is a responsibility vested in us to follow and advocate proper toilet etiquette to make this mission a success. Therefore, as a fellow citizen I strongly urge all to support HarpicSuwa Jana Meheyuma as responsible citizens.”

Also speaking at the event, Additional Provincial Director of Education for Western Province WimalGunaratnesaid, “Ensuring adequate sanitation facilities for schools across Sri Lanka is a challenging task and we still have schools without sufficient access to these facilities. Given these circumstances, we are grateful to Harpic for their efforts to uplift the water, sanitation and hygiene standards in our country and we are glad to partner with and assist them in their efforts. I believe the commitment shown by Harpic – Reckitt Benckiser Lanka stands as a great example for how the private sector can support the government effectively in tackling issues that affect the public.”