WISTA Along The Coast – CSR With A Purpose

January 1, 1970

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka organized its first ever Coastal clean-up initiative on the 26th January from Wellawatta to Dehiwala spanning over 2Km of coastal line. This event signified the importance WISTA places in its endeavor to protect the deep sea and coastal line in accordance with the Associations’ mandate on leading strategic CSR initiatives. Amongst the Associations, Companies and Environmental conscious enthusiasts who volunteered and partnered WISTA in this initiative, Dr. Sevvandi Jayakody, Senior Lecturer of the Wayaba University whose research interest is on understanding the impacts of human disturbances to aquatic environments with special reference to animal behavior, water quality and species occupancy, evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies and management plans in marine and fresh water ecosystems, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The Central Environment Authority and the Waste Management Authority rendered their fullest support to WISTA which went a long way in creating an effective and successful campaign. The event was also graced by officials from the Sri Lanka Navy and partnered by South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) with many volunteers from the Shipping and Trading industries and environmental conscious individuals who joined hands in being part of this timely initiative by WISTA. All participants gathered at 7 am from the entry point at Sri Dharmapala Mawatha and progressed towards both Wellawatta and Mt. Lavinia coastal belt cleaning up debris and making everyone conscious of the great pollution that’s affecting our beautiful coastal line. Members of the WISTA team took great strides in creating a much needed awareness in the industry and taking a lead role in addressing the need to create strategic CSR projects a priority amongst such associations. WISTA aims to continue its endeavor to be a voice in protecting our coastal line and the marine life and hope to carry out many such projects in the future as it firmly believes in giving back to the environment. WISTA has been successful over the years in breaking down gender barriers within the Shipping and Logistics Industry by encouraging more women to join and build career paths.