Advocating environmentally friendly practices amongst all Sri Lankans, Softlogic Finance PLC launched another phase of its innovative ‘Clean Zone’ initiative to coincide with the annual ‘Padayathra’ pilgrimage in Kataragama in partnership with the Rotary Club of Colombo Fort. Striving to tackle the issue of plastic and polythene waste that accumulates in the area during the ‘Padayathra’ pilgrimage, Softlogic Finance provided 2500 reusable cloth bags to the Katargama Local Government authority. Nalin Wijekoon, CEO – Softlogic Finance PLC graced the occasion. Monaragala district office of the Central Environmental authority will carry out the provision of reusable cloth bags to pilgrims who arrive in Kataragama.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the sacred city of Kataragama annually during the ‘Padayathra’ season. For years, plastic and polythene that pilgrims bring to the area from all over the country continued to pose a daunting issue to the authorities. The use of more polythene bags to collect waste contributed to worsen the situation in place of solving it. Striving to find a solution, Softlogic Finance and the Rotary Club of Colombo Fort used electronic and print media to request pilgrims to switch to reusable bags and containers during their pilgrimage. Those who bring single use polythene and plastic to the sacred area can present their plastic and polythene bags to the collection centre set up by the Kataragama Local Government authority at the entrance to the site and obtain reusable bags provided by Softlogic Finance in return.

Speaking at the occasion, “We first implemented the ‘Clean Zone’ community initiative a few years ago to promote waste management, appropriate disposal, segregation and recycling of garbage and the habit of maintaining a clean environment amongst the community. So far, we’ve successfully expanded the initiative to a number of locations in the country. At our branches islandwide, we use three separate, distinctively colour-coded bins, dedicated for the disposal of plastics, bottles and recyclable material. I am thankful to Kataragama Local Government and the Rotary Club of Colmbo Fort for inviting us to be a part of their combined effort to convert Kataragama into a polythene and plastic free zone. Once we determine the feasibility of this particular approach, we hope to expand this initiative to other places of worship in the future”.

Environmental expert, Chiaki Nishi of JICA introduced the concept as a solution to manage the gargantuan issue of polythene bags that litter Kataragama area annually. Chiaki Nishi is a consultant to the programme ‘minimizing environmental pollution and solid waste management’ organized by the Central Environment Authority. Based on the success of the initiative in Kataragama, Softlogic Finance and the Rotary Club of Colombo Fort plan to implement similar projects at other significant places of worship in the country.

Softlogic Finance PLC is part of the Softlogic Group that has interests in Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, ICT, Leisure, Automobiles and Restaurants. The company is a Registered Finance Company under Finance Business Act No 42 of 2011, as well as being a Specialised Leasing Company, licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the Finance Leasing Act No. 56 of 2000.

Photo caption: Nalin Wijekoon, CEO – Softlogic Finance PLC at the launch of the ‘Clean Zone’ Initiative in Kataragama