Galadari triumphantly completes CSR phase one

Saturday, 2 June 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Galadari Hotel saw the end of phase one of its highly successful CSR project ‘Hospitality Training and Empowerment’ on 19 May. The project which was brought to life by the Hotel’s General Manager Sampath Siriwardena was highly commended by the poverty stricken town of Bibile Wellassa. The area of Wellassa is famed in legend and history for its great hero Monarawila Keppetipola and others who laid down their lives to liberate their motherland from foreign invasion and aggression.

The prime focus of the project was to empower youth of local communities by providing them with training and employment opportunities.

Having commenced the initial stage of the project in November 2010 where selected school leavers as well as unemployed youth in the town of Bibile was provided the unique opportunity to train in a Five Star Hotel environment, the project opened doors for youth to make their dreams into realities. The project was channelled through Venerable Hawelwela Sunanda Chief Incumbent of the Unagolla Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, who played a vital role in assistance and guidance.

The ten youths who completed the required training were honoured in a special awards ceremony which took place in Bibile at the ‘Govi Jana Centre’. The Galadari Hotel’s staff members headed by the General Manager Sampath Siriwardena, Financial Controller Upali Perera and Human Resources Manager Shirani David received a very warm welcome by the villagers of Bibile who gathered together with other special invitees to celebrate the victorious ‘Coming Out’ of the youth who completed their training and were awarded with training certificates.

Addressing the gathering Siriwardena said, “Nothing would make me happier than to see these young individuals at a Manager level one day. This is our ultimate goal and I am confident that the selected youth have the potential to achieve this if steered in the proper direction.”

The Hotel had painstakingly taken all the necessary measures to ensure that these youth received the very best in training which included the many facets of hotel management. Combining theory as well as practical exposure these youth where given all the necessary facilities including food, clothing, health care, library facilities and lodging etc.

“The triumphant completion of the project was due to the flexibility given by the General Manager and Financial Controller when it came to decision making. I always had their support and encouragement this was the main reason why the project was so successful,” said David and the guiding light of the trainees.

With phase two due to commence shortly, The Galadari Hotel is once again hoping to give life to the dreams and aspirations of yet another batch of trainees in Bibile.