May 26, 2023
Sunshine Foundation for Good reinforces its commitment through ‘‘Better Water, Better Lives" project
“More than 2000 people in Poonakary region get access to clean water through 03 RO Plants”
As per the vision of its Founder, diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate Sunshine Holdings firmly believes in giving back to the society beyond the company’s nation-building efforts across its key business sectors. With the establishment of ‘Sunshine Foundation for Good’ (SFG) during its 50th anniversary, all Group strategic business units (SBUs) channel their CSR efforts and initiatives under one umbrella, with health and education being the two main pillars of the foundation.
These contaminants are directly linked to many diagnoses of Chronic Kidney Diseases of Unknown Origin (CKDu) in Sri Lanka. This condition ultimately forces patients to seek continuous dialysis treatments or a transplant to survive as it impairs kidney function even in the absence of diabetes or structural abnormality. According to the International Water Management Institute, approximately 400,000 people are currently affected by CKDu, of which men between the ages of 15–70 are the most vulnerable. The heat stress, dehydration and pesticides these communities are exposed to regularly, further amplifies the occurrence of CKDu.
Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director, Sunshine Holdings PLC and Shaan Corea, Founder/CEO, Appé Lanka Foundation
Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director, Sunshine Holdings PLC and Shaan Corea, Founder/CEO, Appé Lanka Foundation
Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director, Sunshine Holdings PLC and Shaan Corea, Founder/CEO, Appé Lanka Foundation
Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director of Sunshine Holdings said, “North Central, North Western, East, Uva, Southern and Northern provinces are continuing to struggle with an increasing number of cases of CKDu, with estimates of over 400,000 cases across these provinces being recorded over the past few years,” said “Poor access to safe drinking water has led to the prevalence of CKDu, and for decades, people from these regions have been enduring harsh conditions with continuing water scarcity.”
“Our vision extends far beyond the installation of these RO plants. We strive to create a ripple effect of transformation in the lives of rural Sri Lankans. By addressing a fundamental need like safe water, we are enabling communities to flourish and thrive, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future”
Michelle Senanayake
Group Chief People Officer
“A single RO plant has the capability of processing and sufficiently providing water to a small village
(5,000 to 10,000 litres a day)”
In such a dire context, the implementation of Reverse Osmosis (RO) has been proven as a highly effective solution towards eradicating the high incidence of CKDu caused by contaminated water, by running unsafe water through a thorough filtration process. RO Plants are therefore one of the primary methods of reducing the high occurrence of CKDu within the nation. A single RO plant has the capability of processing and sufficiently providing water to a small village (5,000 to 10,000 litres a day).
Safe water is not merely a necessity but a fundamental right, and the Sunshine Foundation for Good recognizes the profound impact that access to better water has on improving lives and livelihoods. By championing the cause of safe water, they have empowered communities to break free from the burdens of waterborne diseases, hardships, and limitations imposed by water scarcity. Furthermore, under the ‘Better Water, Better Lives’ theme, the RO plants go beyond the mere provision of safe water. They represent a catalyst for change, acting as a platform for awareness, education, and shedding light on the daily struggles faced by rural Sri Lankan’s.