Ritzbury pledges continuous support for Protection of Wetlands

Saturday, 3 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The number one chocolate brand in Sri Lanka, Ritzbury will continue to support protection and awareness programs among school children to educate them on the unique beauty and biodiversity of wetlands.

Manufacturer of Ritzbury chocolate, CBL Foods International (Pvt.) Ltd’s Managing Director Imal Fonseka made this statement while addressing the national celebration to mark World Wetland Day. Titled ‘Wetlands and Tourism’ this year, the gala event was held at Water’s Edge recently.

The event also saw the presentation of prizes and certificates for the winners of the competition ‘Wetlands Quiz with Ritzbury,’ which was held under the complete sponsorship of Ritzbury chocolate, held at divisional, district, provincial and national level encompassing the entire country.

First place was won by a student of Kalutara Maha Vidyalaya B. Shanika Hemanthi while the first runner up position was bagged by Galle Kisthudeva Maha Vidyalaya H.M Ruwani Hemanthika. Galewala Veerakatiya Wimalaratna Maha Vindyala student R.D. Prabashwara won the third place to complete the top positions.

Trophies, certificates and cash prices were presented by special guests at the occasion, Environment Minister Anura PriyadarshanaYapa, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana and CBL Foods International Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha.

Special class room timetables designed on the wetlands theme under the sponsorship of Ritzbury was ceremoniously presented to the ministers by CBL Foods Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha. Ritzbury is in the process of distributing this class room time tables to schools as an extension to its support toward protection of the Wetlands.

CBL Foods International (Pvt.) Ltd’s Managing Director Imal Fonseka during his speech pointed out that over Rs. 4 million was spent on the wetlands quiz competition and special mass media campaign carried out .The company considers it as an investment in the future generation of Sri Lanka. He also pledged to continue dedicating resources of the company towards educating children.

Ritzbury has been producing a television programme titled “Ritzbury Journey Day” to educate students on the natural beauty, rich history, traditional crafts and biodiversity of Sri Lanka, he added. Fonseka went onto say that the programme was geared to educate children on every important aspect of the country.

“We will also continue to upgrade the infrastructure and facilities of schools around the country,” he stressed.

CBL Group Director Nishka Weerasooriya, senior officials of the company, students and top officials of the two ministries were among the large gathering at the event.