Kelani Cables extends award winning ‘Kelani Saviya’ program for another 5 years

‘Kelani Saviya’ the award winning CSR program of Kelani Cables PLC that was scheduled to conclude in 2017 was extended for a further period of five years due to high demand from the society. 

The MOU with regard to extension of the program was signed between Kelani Cables PLC Director/CEO Mahinda Saranapala and Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. Upul B. Dissanayake, at the Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor’s office.

Kelani Cables PLC, Sri Lanka’s number one brand in secure electrical and communication cables has been conducting ‘Kelani Saviya’ in association with the engineering faculty of the Peradeniya University since 2007. 

The brainchild of Prof. J.B. Ekanayake of Peradeniya University, Kelani Saviya stands tall as the first ever CSR program in Sri Lanka a local university has initiated in association with a private organisation.

The program enhances skills of self employed electrical technicians to be professionals and grooms school leavers to be skilled electricians. The only criterion for enrolment in Kelani Saviya training program is to have GCE ordinary level qualifications.

Kelani Saviya was commissioned in 2007 following signing a MOU between Prof. S.B.S. Abeykoon, former Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya and Hemantha Perera, former Managing Director of Kelani Cables PLC.

According to the stipulated terms and conditions of the MOU the CSR program was to end in 2012. However a fruitful discussion between Mahinda Saranapala, and the Peradeniya University authorities made the program to be extended for a further period of five years that was till 2017. 

The function of signing the MOU to extend Kelani Saviya for a further five years from 2017 was graced by Kelani Cables PLC General Manager – Sales Anil Munasinghe, General Manager – Operations Upul Mahanama, Brand Development Manager Channa Jayasinghe, Manager – Human Resources Asitha Sumanesekera, Sales Manager Chaminda Waidyatilleke, Sales Manager (Exports) Devinda Lorensuhewa and Business Manager (Projects) Suranga Pathirana.

In the last 10 years over 500 students have participated in Kelani Saviya one-year training program and most of them are now employed here and abroad as skilled electricians. Some have become successful businessmen.

Mahinda Saranapala said, throughout the year Kelani Cables PLC engages in various CSR programs that shed light on education and environmental conservation. He said Kelani Saviya is a special CSR program since it bestows each student with a recognised university certificate. 

He added, “We pay our gratitude to the engineering faculty of the Peradeniya University for conducting this fully fledged training program. Kelani Saviya is the only training program in the country which offers internationally recognised University certificates to the successful candidates who have only GCE ordinary level education.” 

The CEO further observed Kelani Cables was determined to expand Kelani Saviya services to other areas in the country as well including the North and East to brighten up lives of the apprentices in those areas. 

“We extended the program to the North and East in the country under the brand name; ‘Kelani Shakthi’ and the first program was held at the University of Jaffna. We intend to commence similar programs with other local universities as well,” said the CEO.

Prof. Upul B Dissanayake said, “It is significant Kelani Cables PLC conducting Kelani Saviya CSR program for 10 years by incurring a huge cost. I see the extension of the program for another five years as a noble service rendered towards building the nation. As the Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University I am honoured to be a part of this program and I consider this as a milestone in my professional career.”

Kelani Cables PLC is a one hundred percent Sri Lankan company serving the nation for 48 years manufacturing electrical and communication cables. The company achieved ‘Super Brands’ status in the electrical and telecommunication sector in 2008 for professional supremacy it demonstrated in the electrical and communication cables sphere.

In 2012, Kelani Cables PLC clinched the bronze award for the excellent business brand category at the SLIM Brand Excellence. It clinched gold at the SLIM Brand Excellence once again in 2013 for the same category. The company secured gold at the SLITAD People Development – 2013 award ceremony for the contribution it has made towards training and development of the work-force plus up-keeping their welfare.

Kelani Cables PLC is the proud recipient of ISO 9000:2008 certification for quality, ISO 14001:2004 for better environment management, National Standards award and the gold winner of Taiki Akimoto 5S award. 

In 2015 Kelani Cables PLC was conferred with the Asia’s Best Employer Brand award. Kelani Cables was recognised for sustainable development at the National Green Awards in 2015. The company bagged Silver award for best organisational CSR brand under the B2B brand category at the SLIM Brand Excellence awards in 2015.

National HR Excellence Silver award in 2016 and Green Reporting Gold award at the Presidential Environmental Awards in the same year are other achievements.

Kelani Cables PLC is one of the first companies in Sri Lanka that took oaths to adhere to National Green Reporting System. As a green oriented and socially responsible company, Kelani Cables PLC has been certified to use the ‘Responsible Care’ label which has added immense value to the company’s reputation in the export market sector.