UNICEF, biz leaders launch Business Council
UNICEF in partnership with top business leaders and decision-makers launched the Business Council, to advance child rights and sustainable development in the country.
This Business Council brings together a group of influential private sector personalities committed to championing child rights and the well-being of children and young people in Sri Lanka. The selected business leaders are in the Business Council as individuals rather than representing their entities.
Moving forward, the Council Members will periodically convene to discuss strategies, initiatives, and areas of collaboration to improve the situation of children and young people. Their collective expertise, leadership and proven commitment to social responsibility will pave the way for innovative solutions and shared value creation.
“We are thrilled to launch the UNICEF Sri Lanka Business Council as a means to create a collaborative platform for business leaders and decision-makers”, said Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka. “Through this Council, we aim to harness the power of the private sector to drive positive change and make a lasting impact on the lives of children in Sri Lanka.
UNICEF is increasingly engaging with the private sector, partnering with a wide range of stakeholders, including business leaders and industry associations, and investors.
The members of the Business Council include: Shiromal Cooray, Chairman and Managing Director, Jetwing Travels; Rathika De Silva, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact (Network SL); Dilhan Fernando, Chief Executive Officer, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company; Dr. Rohan Fernando, Executive Director, Aitken Spence; Shanil Fernando, Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce (SL); Firzan Hashim, Country Director, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management; Ashroff Omar, CEO, Brandix Apparel Limited; Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman, Cargills (Ceylon); Ashok Pathirage, Chief Executive Officer, Softlogic Holdings; Ayodhya Perera, Managing Director, Sampath Bank; Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director, Hayleys Plantation Sector; K. R. Ravindran, CEO,Printcare; Supun Weerasinghe, Group CEO, Dialog Axiata; Sheamalee Wickramasingha, Group Managing Director, Ceylon Biscuits; and Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Group CEO, Hemas Holdings.
Speaking on behalf of the Council Members during the launch, Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Group Chief Executive Officer, of Hemas Holdings PLC said “We collectively recognize the importance of working together to improve the lives of children and ensuring that their rights are protected.”