Social Pillar

Social sustainability is about identifying and handling business impacts (both positive and negative) on people (United Nations Global Compact, n.d.). The quality of a company’s relationships and engagement with its stakeholders is critical. Directly or indirectly, employees, workers in the value chain, customers, and worldwide communities are affected by the actions taken by the companies, and therefore it is important to manage impacts proactively.  Although the approaches to securing and maintaining this support are various, it comes down to treating employees fairly and being a responsible neighbor and community member, both locally and globally, resulting in being sustainable in terms of social equity.

Focusing on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

  

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT BY SRILANKAN CARES

 

SriLankan Airline’s CSR Arm, SriLankan Cares is believed to be the first private sector company in Sri Lanka’s commercial field to set up a specialized branding and an institution for charity.

Since its inception in 2003, SriLankan Cares has been bringing together various programs that have each been independently working towards the company's goal of uplifting needy children and supporting and empowering the overall underprivileged in our society. These projects undertaken are aimed at creating a meaningful social impact to elevate the social, educational, and health-related standards of the community. SriLankan cares is also involved in various infrastructural development projects, scholarships, seminars, and workshops aimed at enhancing the quality of education and health for children. Apart from child and youth-focused initiatives, SriLankan cares also engages in other CSR activities including, disaster relief, elderly care, and other charity initiatives. SriLankan cares are working to improve social sustainability in the following ways (SriLankan Airlines, n.d.).

Donation of two units of RESMED CPAP / BI-LEVEL Ventilators to The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) - 2021

SriLankan Cares, donated the first batch of ventilators to the National Hospital, Colombo. The donation was funded purely through the contribution of SriLankan Airlines’ staff members, who joined hands to help fulfill a national endeavor despite the turbulent times faced by the Airline and challenges and hardships stemming from the compulsory salary reductions owing to the current circumstances.

 

Donation of a High Flow Oxygen Machine to the Colombo East National Hospital - 2021

Continuing SriLankan Cares' endeavor to support acute healthcare needs currently faced by the country, SriLankan Cares made another donation of a High Flow Oxygen machine to the Colombo East National Hospital, which treats only COVID- 19 patients and is a final referral point for serious patients.

 

Supporting the National Vaccination Drive - 2021

SriLankan Airlines is committed to supporting the national vaccination drive to help the Government of Sri Lanka combat the Coronavirus pandemic by flying down millions of doses of vaccines. (SriLankan Airlines, 2021) (Daily News, 2021). 

Little Hearts Project - 2021

SriLankan Cares, together with the generous staff of the Airline, steered a fundraising collaboration with the Little Hearts project, in aid of the national endeavor to build a Cardiac and Critical Care Complex at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo. SriLankan Cares fundraising collaboration for the Little Hearts project received donations amounting to LKR 1,275,770/- which translates to saving a hundred and twenty-seven lives.

 

Celebrating World Children’s Day - 2020

Sri Lanka Cares donated a braille writer to a visually impaired child at Andiambalama Maha Vidyalaya on 2^nd of October 2020, in celebration of World Children's Day. And also, the team offered gift vouchers for needy students at the school. The Braille writer was handed over by Mr. Khalid Oshman, a visually impaired employee of Sri Lankan Airlines (SriLankan Airlines, 2020).

Village Heart Beat Centre in Oddusuddan - 2017

SriLankan Cares collaborated with the Foundation of Goodness to set up the eighth Village Heartbeat Centre in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu in the Northern Province on 1^st of September 2017. In collaboration, they constructed a fully-fledged training facility to enrich the lives of underprivileged communities in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka as well as, focuses on empowering children and youth at the grassroots level through educational skills training and empowerment programs. During the cause, Sri Lankan Cares raised funding for the construction, equipping, and maintenance of the Centre whilst Foundation of Goodness Provided Land in Oddusuddan.

 

‘From School to the World’ - Aviation Awareness Program - 2019

Driven by the vision of nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals, SriLankan Airlines launched “From School to the World” on the 21^st of March 2019, a special Awareness Program on Aviation Careers for the aspirant youth who seek to pursue a career in the aviation industry. This project was spearheaded by Sri Lankan Human Resources in collaboration with Sri Lankan Aviation College and Sri Lankan Cares. The program will educate, attract and build a dependable entry-level talent pipeline for the airline industry, targeting the early youth giving them a flavor of the industry and potential careers which they could explore before they pursue their higher education. 

 

‘Divi Jaya Maga’ Special Educational Program - 2019

SriLankan Cares team executed ‘Divi Jaya Maga’ Special Educational Program, an Educational Camp conducted for the children of Dimbulagala Aralaganwila Maha Vidyalaya from 13th to 15th September 2019 at the School Premises. Over 100 students from grades 8, 9, and 10 took part in the program, which included a day of holistic team building and several classroom sessions on personality and leadership development, handcraft, essential communication, environment best practices, and first aid, which the participants found enriching and beneficial, both academically and communally.

Fam Tour Blue Rose - 2019

SriLankan Cares in collaboration with the Media Unit of AASL implemented a Familiarization Program at the Bandaranaike International Airport for the Blue Rose Special School Kandy, a school of children with special needs on the 27th of March 2019. Thirty-eight students of the school, along with teachers and parents participated in the tour. They were given a closer view of the functions in the airport and were also taken aboard an aircraft and they were also served a meal onboard.

 

Medical Camps - 2019

SriLankan Cares partnered with Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa to conduct a medical camp for the needy communities in Dehigahalanda in Hambantota on 9 June 2019. The medical camp was conducted for the third consecutive year in parallel to Global Wellness Day. The medical screening which was held at Dehigahalanda Maha Vidyalaya was a tremendous success and received positive comments from the local community.

 

Sanitary Facility and Drinking Water Facility to Prasanna Kumara and Family - 2019

SriLankan Cares spearheaded the staff fundraising to supply clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for a family of three children suffering from terminal illnesses in Pubbogama, Anuradhapura on 26 February 2019. Strengthening the efforts taken by SriLankan Cares to support Prasanna and his family, the members of SriLankan raised a sum of LKR 472,850.00, which was needed to build a tube well and sanitary facility, both of which were essential for their well-being.

 

Donation of Special Trolley Beds to Identified Hospitals in Sri Lanka - 2019

SriLankan Cares partnered with Amelie and Daniel Linsey Foundation-UK and organized a special donation of 100 “Patient Transfer Trolley Beds” to 9 hospitals in Sri Lanka, aspiring to develop local medical facilities, which was initiated on the 27^th of November 2019. SriLankan Airlines provided air tickets for the Foundation team’s first visit to Sri Lanka in September 2019 and also supported its fundraising event in London in November. (Amelie & Daniel Linsey Foundation, 2019)

 

Safeguard Children’s Rights and Prevent Violence Against Children - 2018

To protect and ensure the welfare of children, SriLankan Cares partnered with the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan to set up and launch the first-ever ‘Child-Friendly Police Station’ in Ragama. The Ministry of Law and Order and the Ragama Police collaborated and extended their support to launch the project. This is a dedicated police station where traumatized children would feel safe and comfortable to report child abuse complaints and reach out for support and solace for their grievances. This pilot project also extends comprehensive training to police officers on how to handle children in distress.

 

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT BY SRILANKAN AIRLINES

 

SriLankan strongly upholds the notion that employees are the driving force behind their headway. Thus, SriLankan Airlines handpick high-caliber professionals and provide extensive training for both new recruits and existing staff with their growth in focus, in an environment that encourages teamwork, loyalty, and commitment to their ongoing mission for success.  Furthermore, SriLankanAirlines actively focuses on encouraging the growth and the enrichment of those who choose to build their careers with SriLankan by offering a number of employment rewards, recognition, incentives, and performance programs, designed to bring out the best in their beloved employees. And they offer equal career opportunities regardless of gender, race or religion. The Airline also gives substantial attention to ensure the health and safety of its staff members and their families and strives to build a stress-free yet motivated and capable workforce. SriLankan Airlines has made the following initiatives to strengthen social sustainability (SriLankan Airlines, n.d.).

 

UL 1^st: A pledge to awaken selfless commitment 

The theme was introduced in the year 2018 to solidify the bond that knits the entire SriLankan workforce as one family. The initiative aimed at enhancing employee engagement, strengthening interdepartmental unity, increasing employee interaction, motivating employees to reach greater heights, building self-belief in employees, strengthening the bond between employees, and developing a team-centric work environment (SriLankan Airlines, 2018). 

 Nena Pahan –Youth Development Program

This program is designed for employees’ young children to get familiarized with the airline industry and to train them on corporate-based programs to groom them for a brighter future once they commence their careers.

 

Strengthening The Spirited Efforts of Female Employees

Saluting the spirit of womanhood on International Women's Day, Sri Lankan Airlines conducted a series of workshops to empower and strengthen the tireless efforts of spirited women of the Airline. Furthermore, the Airline has developed a work ethic that encourages its female employees to excel in male-dominant fields and offers equal opportunities to strengthen their efforts to achieve professional fulfillment.

 

Retirees Program

Sri Lankan Airlines carried out a special training program aimed at conditioning the minds of senior employees towards their eventual retirement. The program discusses how they could attain contentment and relish the freedom that comes with retirement.

 

Medical Facilities

Employees and their families receive annual health checkups and medical coverage that cover hospitalization, OPD, and spectacles. Furthermore, a critical care allowance is provided for 24 illnesses along with free medical screening (SriLankan Airlines, n.d.).

 

Medical Camps - 2019

Sri Lankan Cares hosted two special medical camps, one in Dehigahalanda, Hambantota, and one in Katunayake for the children of SLA Staff. SriLankan Cares facilitated more than ten children suffering from critical illnesses with free air travel for essential surgeries overseas. 

 

Employee Assistance Centre (EAC)/ In-House Counselor at SLA - 2019

The EAC provides advisory and counseling services for employees on areas such as; work-life balance, positive parenting, coping with stress and emotional challenges in professional and personal life. SLA was the first to launch an EAC in the corporate sector (SriLankan Airlines, 2018).

Online Counselling Platform -2020

An online counselling platform was also introduced, identifying the importance of mental wellbeing of our employees, so that they can provide emotional support to those who undergo difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 ‘SriLankan Stars’ Top Rankers Development Program

The top-ranking employees identified through the performance evaluation system of the organization go through a management skill development program. This would encourage and motivate the high performers to continuously fuel their performance. The high performers’ development programs are conducted in collaboration with the state universities of Sri Lanka

 

‘pULse’ performing arts club – Encouraging ultimate self-expression

pULse, the performing arts club of SriLankan provides employees with the opportunity to let go of the inner workaholic and awaken the artist in them. Also, pULse was steered by the Communication and Engagement team, motivated the staff across all divisions to boost morale and inspiration during the economic challenges that hit the trade, especially following the Easter Bombings in April 2019. It has proven to be a timely employee engagement initiative that inspired and rejuvenated all employees to come together as one and act as change agents of the organization to achieve the strategic goals.

 

Covid-19 Awareness and Education Programs - 2020

A special awareness and education programs were brought up by the Communication and Engagement team of SLA, in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic aligned to Crisis Communication, bringing attention to health and safety practices and utilizing online platforms, notices, and messaging.

RIPPLE EFFECT OF BECOMING A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE ENTITY

 

Volunteering in these kinds of endeavors has a ripple effect on both society and the organization. Everyone in society receives access to adequate health care, safe and healthy housing, and high-quality education as a result of this. It has also fostered a community spirit that creates a sense of belonging and self-worth. Furthermore, these projects have created decent jobs, a healthy working environment and ensured that each individual has an equal opportunity to engage in job-related duties, regardless of gender. Moreover, activities of this nature create an atmosphere of respect and tolerance for diverse viewpoints, beliefs, and values and have created a better quality of life for people. 

At the same time, SriLankan Airlines has benefited by improving its business reputation, attracting new employees and investors, and increasing internal morale and employee engagement by demonstrating Airline’s commitment towards the community. Also, this has generated positive public attention and a good relationship with local authorities as well.