‘Give the Gift of Sight’ initiative

Last week marked the conclusion of the Hayleys Group’s benevolent corporate sponsorship of 260 cataract surgeries as part of the HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) “Give the Gift of Sight” 2023 campaign said a press release.

This meritorious act of corporate empathy was backed by a sponsorship exceeding Rs 5 million from the Group, aimed at contributing to HASL’s goal of raising funds for 2000 cataract surgeries for underprivileged elderly individuals in Sri Lanka.

Led by Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC, Mohan Pandithage, thirteen sectors within the Hayleys Group of Companies united to sponsor these surgeries. Each sector sponsored the cost of surgeries for one day, amounting to 20 surgeries performed daily at the HASL Eye hospital, at Wellawatta, Colombo 6.

Pandithage, who visited the hospital and interacted with patients’ post-surgery, said, “As a purpose-led business striving to make lives better, social responsibility is a part of our Group’s core values.

“Senior citizens have made remarkable contributions to society throughout their lifetimes. By supporting the Helpage ‘Give the Gift of Sight’ initiative, we look to empower the elderly in a meaningful way, helping them regain their sight so that they may continue to lead fulfilling lives.”

The Executive Director of HelpAge Sri Lanka, Samantha Liyanawaduge, conveyed gratitude to Hayleys for their sponsorship. “Given the challenges faced by over 500,000 elderly individuals in Sri Lanka, where the risk of losing sight is heightened due to financial and mobility obstacles, donor support in this endeavor is crucial,” he emphasised.