Inaugural Sri Lanka Corporate and Health Productivity Awards recognizes healthy workforce of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Corporate Health & Productivity Awards 2019, initiated by the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), in collaboration with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), was recently held at BMICH. The event was graced by Honourable Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Dr Harsha De Silva as the Chief Guest and His Excellency Akira Sugiyama, Japanese Ambassador, as the Guest of Honour. Additionally, Dinuk Hettiarachchi Chairman Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), Masatomo Itonaga Resident Representative Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Colombo) Dr. Yoshiaki Ichikawa, Chairman of the panel of judges, and Kei Kawano, Director, Standards and Regulations Division, Intellectual  Property and Innovation Department,  JETRO Colombo, also illuminated the occasion.

Dinuk Hettiarachchi Chairman, Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs commented, “It is the duty of our chamber to bring forth and motivate the enterprises that are dedicating themselves and to make sure their voice is established on their road to become business pioneers to advocate, change and ease the path of progress of our nation. The Corporate Health and Productivity Awards, collaborated with JETRO Colombo is a committed journey towards recognizing and rewarding the dedication and commitment towards their cause and improving the health sector of our nation”.

The Sri Lanka Corporate Health and Productivity Awards 2019 started the journey in the month of August in 2018, and the number of entries received displayed the enthusiasm of the enterprises engaging in health and productivity management, and the outstanding performers were narrowed down through a series of selection processes, including surveys and workshops. The selection was further based on a five key criteria provided by international standards such as ISO and PAS. These criteria include the positioning of health and productivity management in management philosophy and policies, organized frameworks established for tackling health and productivity management issues, specific systems established for ensuring health-conscious management as well as measures introduced for implementing them, measures established for assessing and improving health and productivity management and adherence to laws and regulations and risk management.

The winners were awarded gold and silver according to their category of enterprise, which was selected utilizing the basis of the number of their employees. Under the Small Category, Embla Software Innovations (Pvt) Ltd took home the Gold award, while GAC Shipping Limited secured the Silver award. H-Connect (Pvt) Ltd and hSenid Mobile Solutions won the Gold and Silver awards respectively under the Medium category. Nature’s Beauty Creation emerged as the Gold award winner in the Large category whilst Samson Compounds (Pvt) Ltd. secured the Silver prize. In the Extra Large category, Hemas Holdings PLC won the Gold award while Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) walked away with the Silver prize. The winners were given due acknowledgment for their accomplishments and the selected enterprises were promoted as an attractive investment option for investors and exceptional places of work for employees.

Established In 1999, COYLE is a business chamber with 120 top Sri Lankan young entrepreneurs who comprise of business owners and entrepreneurs having an extensive national and international business network. COYLE members collaborate with government officials, policymakers and community organizations to support the community and each other with the mission of building businesses and community through its motto “Recognition through Excellence.”

JETRO is a government-related organization that works towards promoting mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO’s core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium-sized Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.