John Keells Foundation celebrates 20 years of empowering nation for tomorrow

JOHN Keells Foundation (JKF), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) entity of the John Keells Group, marked its 20th anniversary with a special event on 25 April for its key stakeholders representing the Government, non-Government, private and academia sectors, UN and INGO/NGO agencies and community-based organisations.

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Since its establishment on 28 March 2005, JKF has been a driving force in fostering sustainable growth and empowering communities across Sri Lanka.

"As one of the first corporate CSR entities in Sri Lanka, John Keells Foundation has led the way in championing impactful, sustainable initiatives under our vision of 'Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow', aligned with national priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Principles of the United Nations Global Compact," said John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra. "Over the years, the Foundation has remained committed to long-term initiatives that support communities in need, impacting the lives of over 9 million individuals. Within the Foundation's empowerment culture, the focus has been less about hand-outs and donations, but more on providing the skills and the motivation to empower our communities to improve their lives. In Ranala, for instance, a women's society around our Elephant House factory was provided training in producing paper-based products, while in Hikkaduwa, in partnership with Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, we have up skilled local artisans in batik production. What is most encouraging is how much our own businesses have embraced sustained community empowerment— how it has become part of our DNA over the past couple of decades."

JKF drives its vision through four strategic focus areas — education, community and livelihoods, social health and cohesion, and biodiversity — that guide the transformative social empowerment initiatives within the Group's overall ESG framework. Flagship initiatives such as the John Keells English Language Scholarship Program, Project WAVE (Working Against Violence through Education), John Keells Vision Project, Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration, Kala Pola, the Village Adoption Project and John Keells Praja Shakthi stand as powerful testaments to JKF's commitment to inclusive, transformative and sustainable development.