David Pieris Group reaffirms commitment to environmental conservation

Samantha Silva, Director, David Pieris Motor Company officially handing over a sign board to park officials

Demonstrating its dedication to environmental conservation, the David Pieris Group renewed its sponsorship of the hoardings displayed around Minneriya National Park for the 22nd consecutive year. 
In addition, the Group also announced its continued funding of the regular cleaning of the stretch of the park bordering the road from Minneriya to Habarana. This marks the 7th consecutive year of this initiative.  
In a simple ceremony held at the park entrance recently, Samantha Silva, Director, David Pieris Motor Company (Private) Limited, officially handed over 68 hoardings and boards that feature conservation messages to the park administration. 
Celebrated by Lonely Planet, BBC, and CNN, the Great Elephant Gathering brings together hundreds of Asian elephants at Minneriya National Park. It is also known as the 6th largest animal congregation in the world, and the largest gathering of Asian Elephants in the world, making it something all Sri Lankans’ should take pride in.

“Environmental conservation is of prime importance and is an integral part of the way we do business at the David Pieris Group” stated Samantha Silva when addressing the gathering. “We are deeply committed to this project and have been supporting it for the past 22 years. While we especially thank the Department of Wildlife Conservation for providing us with this opportunity.”  
Kosala Ratnayake, General Manager – Automotive Regional Operations, DPMC, K. U. S. Jayantha, Assistant Ranger – Wildlife Conservation Department, Mayura Dilshan, Wildlife Guard, Chief Inspector PalithaIlangansekera, OIC, Habarana Police, Malinda Jayathilaka, Irrigation Engineer, Minneriya, Sub Inspector I. M. Naseem, Traffic OIC, Minneriya Police, along with officials from the David Pieris Group attended the event. 
Recognising its efforts to protect the environment, the David Pieris Group was bestowed with the Presidential Environmental Award 2024 (Merit) for the vehicle servicing centre category. It is also won a Gold Award for “Best CSR Programme in the Private Sector for Women’s Empowerment” at the “Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards – Ninth Edition - Sri Lanka & Maldives” 2019 organised by the Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and the Government of Australia. 
In addition to environmental conservation programmes, David Pieris Group’s Social Welfare Committee has donated fully equipped houses for low-income families, medical equipment to hospitals, financial assistance for those who suffer from critical illnesses, financial assistance for disable people, public transport facilities in rural areas as well as several programmes for uplift the women and training them in entrepreneurship.