Elder's Cultural Show-Shannon Estate

“Everyone has talent. What's rare is the courage to follow it to the dark places where it leads.” 

Art is a skill and it doesn't have an age limit. As a result of that we encourage our elderly people to show their talents even though they are in retirement. In keeping in this line of thought, Shannon Estate organized an Elder's cultural show in collaboration with Berendina Development in order to appreciate the talents of our elderly associates. This was done on the 28^th September 2013.The members of the Elder's Club participated in several items covering such areas as traditional and non-traditional dancing items and singing too. It was a colorful night filled with joy,talents and camaraderie. There were 100 participants and the Estate Management gave them the fullest support to make this event successful. 

 

Shramadana Campaign in Ouvahkelle

Ouvahkelle Estate organized a ‘shramadana’ during 13th and 14th September 2013 with the collaboration of World Vision Lanka. It was an event that connected their 1350 Associates towards a single aim - educating them in keeping their surroundings clean and tidy. The Associates cleaned their living areas, roads and approach foot paths during the campaign. After the ‘shramadana’ they were rewarded not only with healthier surroundings but also with nutritional food packs that were distributed.

Scholarship Programme

In the good old days, education was not a part of the plantation culture and it was not technically necessary in the early years. But after the rapid change over the past few years, the younger generation is seen open to education even though the resources are very limited due to the geographical location of the estates. Taking cognizance of this, we saw it our responsibility to cater to their educational needs by improving the quality of education and training and thereby create for them an enabling environment to improve the quality of their livelihood.

This we do consistently whilst continuing with our existing scholarship programme for GCE (A/L) and Undergraduate studies. Accordingly, we did initiate a payment of Rs.2500/- per child per month to estate Managers and Assistant Managers who have children attending schools in order to offset part of their expenses, whilst to the other categories of minor staff we pay Rs.5000/- per child to buy the school books, bags, uniforms, shoes etc. per annum. This has since been increased for the year current.

	No of Students	Amount Spent for the year
Advanced Level	15	360,000,00
Under Graduate Studies	44 (All students in 1st year to final year)	18000 per year for each student who continue with their higher studies.

"Respect your elders.They need your Care.It's about time the world was set aright."

  

October 1^st was International Elders Day. We place great importance in respecting our Elders and acknowledging the contributions they have made to Society and Economy. Their directions and advises still guide our lives. Therefore as a plantations company we give back to those who have retired from service on our plantations due regard and attention. In doing so we have formed Elders Clubs on most of our estates as a place where the elderly people can come, meet others of their vintage and relax.

We have carried out several events for elders within the year. We organized Elders Sports Meets, organized trips to the Dalada Maligawa, Galle Face Colombo, the Ratmalana Airport and other places which they have not been to before. They were great opportunities for them to visit those places. A part from that, we organize different activities such as Birthday celebrations, Vesak, New Year festivities and Christmas for them to enjoy and look forward to in the coming years.  Our care towards the elders is not limited only for 1^st of October but is a constant effort throughout the year.

Blood Donation at Strathdon Estate

                           "The finest gesture one can make is to save life by donating Blood."

                       

                                    Blood Donation is a service to humankind, by donating blood we can help one in need and save a precious life. Transfusion of blood saves millions of lives all over the world. We are a corporate citizen with concerns about the well-being of society. With this in mind, Strathdon estate organized a Blood Donation Campaign as a corporate social responsibility project. It was a successful community project with many citizens participating.

                                                                           

Awareness programme about Hygiene Education and Hygienic pack issue

                                              

Watawala Plantations PLC is a company that is concerned about her Associates health and well-being. In keeping with these concerns, Lippakelle Estate organized the issue of ‘Hygienic Packs’ and conducted an Educational programme on hygiene through the collaboration of World Vision. This programme served to build awareness on the importance of waste management and to securing the environment for the future generations. This Hygienic pack included items such as a dustbin with cover, slippers, Nail cutter, Toilet Brush and Mirror. The purpose of this distribution was to improve the hygiene of our Associates by their use and to improve the waste management process.

Due to poor hygiene and lack of sanitation colossal financial losses are suffered through medical expenses on diseases that could be prevented very easily. The programme imparted knowledge in improving their quality of life and well-being. Specifically, the focus was on improving access to safe drinking water and guaranteeing access to hygienic sanitation facilities. In addition to that, good hygiene leads to a reduction in water-borne diseases and ultimately a reduction in the cost of maintaining good health - let aside its other cosmetic effects. 

                                          

                                          

Religious Ceremony at Head Office

The annual Bana and Dhana Program was organized for the 3rd successive year at Watawala Plantations Head office on the 3rd August 2013 in thanksgiving and to invoke blessings for the company and all of its Associates.

The Dhamma Desana was delivered by ven.Padalangala Dhammadeva Thero,amd followed by an alms giving for 10 Buddhist monks from the Gangaramaya temple.

The Founder Chairman Mr.G.Sathasivam,Mr.Bhandula Hulangamuwa,Mr.Visal Wickramarathna,Mr.Sidath Perera,Senior management Members of the companies together with a large number of employees devotedly participated and also contributed generously in cash and kind to make this a successful event.

Knowledge Transfer Programme with University Of Ruhuna

Nakiyadeniya Estate was organized knowledge transfer programme with Faculty of Agriculture of University of Ruhuna. The expected outcome of this activity is to give practical knowledge about agricultural and rubber manufacturing process to the final year and third year students of the Faculty of Agriculture of University of Ruhuna while getting theoretical knowledge to our staff members.Oil palm mill also gave its contribution to gain success in this programme.

It was an interactive programme and both parties were benefited.At the end of the session our staff officers got good comments from university students and academic staff.It was a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship with the university of  Ruhuna.

Quiz Competition for Grade 5 students

Education is absolutely beneficial for society on the whole.It is a life-long process to each person that need to be reinforced  throughout life.However,we need education system that may eradicate illiteracy and may provide the common man an access not only to basic education but also to higher and technical education. In keeping with our focus on education priority area of support,Talangaha Estate organized a quiz competition for grade 5 children.It was gained a huge success.

Heart Surgery for a little girl was sponsored by WPL

Watawala Plantations PLC is a company which  always believes  employees as its highest value.The objective of  carried out Health care programmes are  to give better healthy life for our employees and their families. As a result of that a heart surgery was done for a little girl who is a child of one of the associates in vellai oya estate.It was arranged by vellai oya management and Watawala Plantations financially contributed to do it successfully.

First Aid Training-Waltrim Estate

For living in the world where you cannot afford to take any risk with anything that surrounds you, it is important on your part to gain proper  first aid training which remains in your mind throughout your life and always proves helpful when you are caught with some infection or any sort of accident. It is a true fact that working at your work place you never think of giving a chance for all these things but when you get an opportunity from esteemed bodies to learn how to live a proper life, it is actually a treat being offered. It has been designed in order to make sure that the individuals are prepared to rescue themselves from any emergency situations. Gaining knowledge regarding  first aid proves to be an advantage when there is a stage that usually falls between life and death when you undergo any major accident or life taking situation.

So Waltrim estate has organized First Aid Training programme to train and educate the sprayers,factory associates and selected field staffs to make them aware of the hazardous impact of improper usage of chemicals,and maintain the zero level accidents in the field and factory. This programme was conducted in collaboration of WUSC and Mr.Karthik was conducted that session who attachted to WUSC. This is an important aspect pertaining FLO certification. 

Bakmaha Ulela-Thalangaha Estate

When the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere; Sri Lankans begin celebrating their New Year or Aluth Avurudhu (in Sinhala) and Puththandu (in Tamil). It marks the end of the harvest season and also coincides with one of 2 instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka. Therefore Aurudu has become a national holiday for all sriLankans. So Talangaha estate organized "Bakmaha Ulela" to celebrate this national event. 

The Bakmaha Ulela 2013, one of the most attractive events of the Talangaha Estate, was successfully held in the Thalangaha upper division play ground on 25th April 2013 with the participation of associates of all divisions of Talangaha estate, executives and members of staff. The event was the first ever Bakmaha Ulela organized by Manager and Assistant Managers of the estate. The expected outcome of this event was to provide recreational facilities for Executives, Staff and Associates.

Free Dental Clinic-Kenilworth Estate

Dental care is the forgotten part of a healthy lifestyle. But while its importance is often underestimated, the need for regular dental care can not be overstated. The health of our teeth and mouth are linked to overall health and well-being in a number of ways. The ability to chew and swallow our food is essential for obtaining the nutrients we need for good health. Apart from the impact on nutritional status, poor dental health can also adversely affect speech and self-esteem. Dental diseases impose both financial and social burdens as treatment is costly and both children and adults may miss time from school or work because of dental pain.

So Kenilworth Estate organized free dental clinic for our associates in Kenilworth Estate dispensary on 09^th of January 2013.This was focused on awareness of oral hygiene and oral cancer. This programme was carried out with the collaboration in PHDT & Ministry of Health. By this clinic 74 people were benefited.

Health Camp At Vellaioya Estate

A Health Camp was conducted at Vellaioya Estate on 9^th of January 2013 in Lower Dandukalawa Division with the support of the voluntary parties.300 of our associates participated for this event and they were prescribed by the Medical Officer of Ambagamuwa and Korean Doctors.

Under this programme all the pregnant mothers have been scanned. In addition to that diagnosis programme has been undertaken in respect to diabetic and Hypertension cases. Vellaioya estate has undertaken this initiative in order to extend their services to the associates and keeping alive the spirit of services towards our people.

Celebration of World Environment Day

"Plant a tree and contribute yourself for a better future"


As we all know 5th of June was "World Environment Day".This year theme was "Eat, Drink and Save".So We were organized a Sour Sap tree distribution within our head office. Watawala Plantations PLC is a company lives it's the vision of "We will take a path no one has walked before and many will want to follow".
Mr. Vish Govindasamy our Group Managing Director and Dr. D. V. Seevaratnam our CEO distributed the plants among our staff members. CEO delivered an appropriate and valuable speech about the importance of protecting the environment and planting trees and the importance of minimizing waste especially in food. After that each and every member of the staff was gifted with a ‘Sour Sap’ plant on the premise that they share the first fruit with the Head Office Staff. This goes to show our company’s commitment towards nurturing our environment. Mr. Vish Govindasamy our Group Managing Director and Dr. D. V. Seevaratnam our CEO distributed the plants among our staff members. CEO delivered an appropriate and valuable speech about the importance of protecting the environment and planting trees and the importance of minimizing waste especially in food. After that each and every member of the staff was gifted with a ‘Sour Sap’ plant on the premise that they share the first fruit with the Head Office Staff. This goes to show our company’s commitment towards nurturing our environment.
Planting “Sour Sap” trees is one such initiative. Sour sap is a fruit which can be used in the treatment of some infections. This fruit contains significant amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B2. In addition the growth of fruit trees will lead to maximizing land utilization in order to achieve economic benefits.

  

Vesak 2013

“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”

                                                                                                            Lord Buddha



Vesak Festival is celebrated with great fervour and reverence by the buddhists throughout the world.So our company organized various vesak related events during the vesak holidays to mark the occasion.One of the events was  watawala kahata dansala   which provided ginger tea to the public in  the poya day night.The people enjoyed the cup of tea a lot.

We have organized another event to improve our labour relations and to appreciate our associates creative skills.Therfore we carried out with Inter regional vesak lanterns competitions among Watawala/Hatton,Lindula and Udugama regions.

The vesak lanterns which made by them were really beautiful and great work.It showed us the team effort of our people and their talents.The Udugama region was won the first place and second place was acheived by Abbotsleigh estate in Hatton/Watawala region.To appreciate their creativity our company organized awarding ceremoney with valuable prizes and certificates.There was a special appreciation for our vocal training centre run by walawala plantations their vesak lantern.

Ethical Tea partnership

We are an active member of Ethical Tea Partnership.All our tea gardens except for one-Thalangaha have gained membership in the Ethical Tea Partnership.The Ethical Tea Partnership is a not for profit organization that has been working with tea producers and tea companies to improve the sustainability of the tea industry since 1997.
This organization is dedicated to  improving the social and environmental conditions of tea supply chains.
The Ethical Tea Partnership supports a better work environment to improve the lives of tea workers by:

• Implementing health & safety programs and procedures
• Providing training on safety issues including better protective clothing for workers
• Improving water treatment and availability of clean drinking water
• Training supervisors and managers on equal and fair treatment of workers
• Continually supporting equal employment opportunities for men and women
• Introducing good practice farming to secure livelihoods from tea
• Improving labour relations

We got this membership because of that the tea we produce has been manufactured in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

Let's celebrate the "World Environment Day"

"Don't let your character change color with your environment. Find out who you are and let it stay its true color. "
                               Rachell Scott


                                                                                                                                             

There was a time when people thought of the environment, they thought of its beauty; but now as the natural beauty of the earth that disappears, many people around the world have awoken to the realities of just how fragile our earth actually is. Central to this issue is pollution, which involves the introduction of harmful substances into the air, land, and water. Although pollution has been occurring throughout the earth’s history, the rate by which the human species have contributed to the amount of pollution that has entered our environment over the past several hundred years far exceeds the earth’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Therefore to solve those problems the United Nations conference on the Human Environment nominated World Environment Day.World Environment Day is celebrated each year on 5^th June.This Day is a day for us to inspect the state of our environment. It calls for us to stop in our tracks one day in the year and examine our surroundings. It asks us to pledge, in a small way at least, to do something for the environment.

So as a responsible corporate giant in plantations sector we are planning to do some beneficial thing to our enviornment while celebrating world enviornment day.Therefore we are organizing sour sap tree planting campaign in collaboration with TATA Global Beverage aline with their world environment day programme under the theme of "Think Eat Drink Save".

Sour sap is a fruit which is used as a treat to some infections.This fruit contains significant amounts of Vitamin C,Vitamin B1,Vitamin B2.So this tree planting campaign will help our people to live healthy and enjoy the life.Because always  environment impacts on human beings lives .So our company plans to bleed green.

We are a company which is engaged in lot of activities in the field of sustainability-Water,energy,fuel,waste management,climate mitigation and community work.So we believe this is going to have a huge success in 5th of June as previous  our CSR activities.

Commitment To Fairtrade

Tea is one of the healthiest,most versatile drinks on the planet whether hot or iced,black or green,it's an herbal shot of antioxidants and cancer-fighters that you can enjoy all year with nothing but water.
Make sure your daily cup comes from reliable sources,where the workers are paid and the conditions are safe,by choosing one of these Fair Trade blends for your next brew.We are proud to say seven of our group's plantations are Fairtrade certified and they are Abbotsleigh(Florence),Dickoya (Adisham),Waltrim,Henfold,Kenilworth,Vellaioya and Homadola.
Fair trade is based on social movement that aims to help producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote sustainability.The certification is awarded by FLO international and certification body FLO-CERT after an independent auditing of producers to verify that following standards are met.

• A Joint Body, including workers and management, must be formed to decide on the use of the Fairtrade Premium,
• The premium cannot be used to cover operating expenses, but rather to improve living and working conditions,
• Forced labour and labour by children 15 years and under is prohibited. Work for children over 15 cannot interfere with their education. They cannot do work that could pose a health risk,
• Workers have the right to establish or join an independent union,
• Salaries must be equal to or higher than the regional average or than the minimum wage,
• Health and safety measures must be established in order to avoid work-related injuries.

Therefore it is reflecting our efforts to extend the focus beyond profits.

Providing Nutrition to children

Hatton/Watawala region in collaboration with the women's development section of the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat initiated a project to provide a glass of milk to each child in the region.
The project as the slogan indicates a glass of milk daily,to every child in the development centres,with the aim of preventing malnutrition amongst these children.The milk provided is purchased from the cattle farms that are located on our estates thus providing an additional inome benefit to the communities.

Watawala Plantations ensures to uphold the rights of the children living in our communities.The children in the seven estates benefited through this program during the past year.The programme,which initially began with the children in the Carolina,Kenilworth and Stathdon Estates' Child Development centres,was later introduced to the children on Lonach,vellai oya,Abbotsleigh estates and the children of the Binnaoya division from Wigton estate.

This same programme will be resumed this year.

In addition to that our company carried out the practical awareness programme on"Good Food Habits and Preparation of  Low Cost,Nutritious Food" in Abbotsleigh Estate.

On the direction of the Management,the health officers of Abbotsleigh Estate conducted a demonstration on "Good Food Habits and at the Abbotsleigh Estate Child Development Center on the 22nd of December,2012.The officials of NCM Lanka organization also participated in the program.

The programme,which was conducted for the mothers,stressed on the importance of following a balanced diet,the importance of the home gardening,the negative impact of junk food,and many more areas related to food habits were discussed.

There was a scarecrow made out vegetables to emphasize on the importnce of eating healthy.

Money was given from the creche fund to purchase bottles and lunch boxes which were gifted to the children who attended the programme.

Fostering Creativity Amongst Children

Our company organized many events during the year to provide an opportunity for the children on our estates to display their talents,and these included performances as well as exhibitions of Arts& Crafts.
In 28th of November 2012 our management has organized annual prize giving and concert with the collaboration in Berdiana Development for the children in child development centers in  Abbotsleigh Estate.

Each of the children leaving the centers was provided with a school bag,excercise books,pens,pencils and erasers.

In addition to that we organized the Annual concert of the Carolina Estate Child Development Centres was held on the 22nd of December,2012 in the Main Hall of the Carolina Tamil School.The event,which was held to celebrate children's Day,was jointly organized by the Estate's Welfare team and the Officers in charge of the Child Development centres.
The parents in the audience applauded and cheered in appreciation as the children participated in the entertaining song and dance items. 

The participants were presented with school bags and a gift parcel from Beredina Development Services.

Furthermore,Universal Children's day was also celebrated on all of our estates.