Dialog, MAS, Hemas and Sarvodaya launch ‘Manudam Mehewara’ to aid communities in need

From left: PwC Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Sujeewa Mudalige, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe, Hemas Holdings PLC Group CEO Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson and MAS Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer Suren Fernando

In a mission to provide emergency relief to the worst impacted families and communities in the country, due to the ongoing economic crisis, Dialog Axiata PLC, MAS Holdings, Hemas Holdings PLC, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and PwC Sri Lanka joined forces to launch the ‘Manudam Mehewara’ relief initiative. 

Driven by its shared values and vision of providing immediate assistance to marginalised and vulnerable communities, the Manudam Mehewara corporate coalition joined hands with like-minded partners, including Sarvodaya, which will identify and provide emergency relief to more than 100,000 adversely affected families, especially communities in deep poverty. 

PwC partnered the initiative pro bono to monitor financial governance and reporting as per compliance requirements of the corporate partners. 

Manudam Mehewara commenced operations on April 10, 2022, where urgently required, essential dry rations packs will be distributed to families in need across all 25 districts.  

Commenting, Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said, “We are grateful to MAS, Hemas, our project execution partner Sarvodaya and accountability partner PwC for joining us in this endeavour to provide emergency relief to more than 100,000 families in need across the country.” 

Speaking at the launch, MAS Holdings Group CEO Suren Fernando said, “Having worked with Sarvodaya many times before, we are convinced that if anyone has the bandwidth and capability to significantly make a difference to these vulnerable communities, it is them. I do sincerely hope that other corporates in Sri Lanka are inspired to join us, recognising the need to act now.” 

Commenting, Hemas Holdings PLC Group CEO Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson said, “As a Sri Lankan corporate, it is our responsibility to ensure that we address the immediate needs of our people across the country. We will continue to work with partners and carry out interventions that will relieve the burden of our communities and our employees.”  

Expressing his thoughts on this initiative, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne said, “We are pleased to join hands with such high-calibre companies like Dialog, MAS and Hemas to launch this humanitarian initiative. We will be identifying the beneficiaries through scientific criteria based on numbers, evidence and we aim to cover all 25 districts. With food insecurity rising at alarming rates, we are planning to go a step beyond providing relief to also offer sustainable solutions such as home gardening to these families.” 

The Manudam Mehewara programme will be conducted for 60-90 days, until a sustainable benefit transfer system is established in the country through an effective economic recovery plan.