AIA Insurance celebrates 30 years of lifesaving impact with Poson safety program

AIA Insurance celebrates a significant milestone this year as it marks the 30th anniversary of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative—the AIA Poson Safety Program. Since its inception in 1993, this lifesaving initiative has played a significant role during Sri Lanka’s Poson season, protecting pilgrims and promoting public safety across the North Central Province. This year, the program will once again be conducted in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, and Mihintale and surrounding regions, deploying over 500 trained lifeguards across 39 lakes and reservoirs. These lifeguards will be stationed at key bathing sites to ensure the safety of thousands of devotees.

Reflecting on the program’s legacy, AIA Insurance Lanka Director/Chief Executive Officer Chathuri Munaweera, emphasised the profound impact of the initiative. “This year is incredibly special for us—it’s a reflection of our enduring promise to the people of Sri Lanka. This initiative is deeply rooted in our values, and we are proud to stand by our communities, especially during moments of spiritual reflection and national unity. Our commitment remains as strong today as it was in 1993—to be there for Sri Lankans, not just in times of prosperity, but especially in times of need,” she said.

The program was born out of a tragic drowning incident in 1992, followed by an increase in drowning accidents, which prompted AIA to take action. In 1993, AIA partnered with the Sri Lanka Life Saving Association, the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Police to launch a coordinated effort to prevent such tragedies. Over the years, the initiative has grown in scale and scope, becoming one of the longest-running and most impactful CSR projects in the country.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the AIA Poson Safety Program, AIA Insurance is introducing a series of impactful enhancements aimed at expanding the program’s reach and deepening its community engagement. For the first time, the initiative will extend beyond traditional pilgrimage sites to include other high-risk water zones across the country, ensuring that more Sri Lankans benefit from the programme. This nationwide expansion reflects AIA’s commitment to evolving with the needs of the public and addressing emerging safety concerns in a broader context.

In addition to the expanded coverage, AIA will launch a special recognition campaign to honour the dedication and service of long-standing lifeguards and volunteers who have been instrumental in the program’s success over the past three decades. All lifeguards working with AIA will be provided with accidental death coverage for a period of three months, as a gesture of our gratitude. These individuals, many of whom have served year after year, will be celebrated through public acknowledgments and storytelling initiatives that highlight their contributions, not only recognising their heroism but also inspiring the next generation to value community service and public safety.

Parallel to the event, AIA Insurance, in collaboration with Government authorities, is currently working on putting together a special traffic management and guidance system to support the upcoming pilgrimage season. In partnership with the Sri Lanka Railway Department, AIA has arranged a dedicated train service from Anuradhapura to Mihinthale to facilitate pilgrim travel. In addition, AIA Suwa Walan—an awareness campaign inspired by timeless Sri Lankan art in order to promote breast cancer awareness—will be carried out on the premises.