Celebrating 21 years of saving lives of Poson pilgrims

Wednesday, 11 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Over a million pilgrims visit Anuradhapura to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka on Poson fullmoon day. Once again, AIA Insurance will be conducting the company’s hallmark Corporate Responsibility initiative of safeguarding pilgrims that has continued for 21 consecutive years in keeping with the insurer’s primary objective of protecting the lives of people. Last year lifesavers saved seven lives from drowning and over the past two decades hundreds of lives have been saved thanks to the company’s nationally relevant CR endeavour – AIA Poson safety program encircling the Sacred Triangle of Anuradphapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.

This year the company will facilitate the presence of over 600 lifesavers from the Sri Lanka Police, the Navy and the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka. The massive safety awareness campaign for Poson extends to the whole nation via mass media communications to motivate pilgrims to use the reservoirs in the area with caution. It includes the distribution of leaflets at entry points to the Sacred City area supported by display of hoardings, pennants and warning boards. In addition to enhancing safety awareness among Poson pilgrims, AIA will go a step further. AIA will continue to make the Poson Vandana Train – a free shuttle service for pilgrims travelling between Anuradhapura and Mihintale – available for devotees on 11, 12 and 13 June when pilgrims throng the sacred city and its vicinity. This is the fifth consecutive year that AIA will be providing this facility for the convenience of Poson pilgrims. “As the Real Life Company, AIA Insurance is conscious of the needs of the people of our nation and take extensive measures to fulfil the expectations of the community,” said AIA Company spokesman and Director Partnerships Amal Perera. “The fact that we have continued to cater to the real needs of the nation for decades amply illustrates our ability to understand our people,” he added. The Poson Vandana Train with 600 lifesavers aboard will leave Fort Railway station on Tuesday en route to Anuradhapura in time for the Poson celebrations.