Aitken Spence Sets a New Standard for Disaster Risk Reduction in Sri Lanka

Marking a new milestone in the field of DRR in Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence PLC hosted an event in recognition of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Day on 27th of January, 2025. As a conglomerate with a presence in diverse sectors, the company leads with a changemaking philosophy of ‘Build Better Before,’ underscoring the need for adequate preparedness for unprecedented disasters and crises.

The event saw the participation of esteemed guests, including the Joint Managing Director and Board members of Aitken Spence PLC, along with representatives from the company’s subsidiaries across different sectors. Their active involvement in the event, alongside the time and resources the company invested, demonstrated the strong emphasis Aitken Spence places on DRR. This level of commitment is commendable and highlights the company’s dedication to fostering resilience and sustainability.

Dr. M.P. Dissanayake, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, opened the event by emphasizing the unpredictable nature of disasters and the need for proactive action, preparedness, and collaboration among all stakeholders to minimize damage.

Ms. Keshini De Silva, Deputy General Manager, Group Transformation and Corporate Strategy, delivered a presentation on Aitken Spence’s journey in DRR, which began in 2018 guided by the philosophy of ‘Build Better Before.’ She highlighted how the partnership with A-PAD has helped the company take great strides in the field of DRR and outlined Aitken Spence’s DRR plan for 2025, which included a pool fund, integration of DRR to supply chain, and a disaster map for public use.

“DRR is not an expense but an investment in resilience, sustainability, and the future we want.” – Aitken Spence

Mr. Firzan Hashim, the Country Director of A-PAD SL, was the keynote speaker and a panelist at the event. In his speech, Mr. Hashim commended Aitken Spence’s commitment to DRR and on amplifying the efforts across its subsidiaries. He pressed on the need to mainstream DRR to tackle the growing complexities of disasters and crises and noted that understanding the risks, strengthening governance, investing in DRR, and enhancing preparedness are central to this effort.

Panel Discussion on Building Resilience and Fostering Collaborations

The event featured a panel discussion featuring, Ms. D.S.T Jayawardena, Joint Deputy Chairperson and Joint Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, Ms. Nilanthi Sivapragrasam, Chief Financial Officer of Aitken Spence PLC, Mr. Firzan Hashim, Country Director of A-PAD SL, Ms. Anoja Seneviratne, Director Mitigation, Research and Development of Disaster Management Centre, and Ms. Priyanka Dissanayake, Disaster Risk Management Specialist of World Bank. It was moderated by Ms. Yasangi Randeni, AVP Corporate Strategy and Sustainability of Aitken Spence PLC.

The key takeaways from the discussion are:

• Cross-functional collaboration and communication: In diverse organizations like Aitken Spence PLC, integrating DRR across all sectors is challenging but can be achieved through effective communication and cross-functional teams.
• Preparedness through financial resources: Establishing a dedicated sinking fund or reserve fund enables quicker responses to unforeseen situations. Both the government and private sector are encouraged to have these funds in place, as recommended by the World Bank.
• Evolving disaster risks and the need for awareness: With the increasing scale and variety of disasters, it’s essential to prepare for new types of crises while continuously improving disaster risk reduction strategies. Transfer of knowledge on DRR among different stakeholders remains paramount.
• Action and continuity in DRR at national level: A key challenge lies in translating DRR strategies into ground-level action. There is often more emphasis on disaster relief rather than long-term recovery, highlighting the need for continued support during the recovery phase.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Rohan Fernando, who emphasized that DRR strategy should be seamlessly integrated into all our efforts. He noted that Aitken Spence is pioneering this approach, forging new paths in disaster risk reduction.

As a long-standing, committed member of the A-PAD platform, Aitken Spence has shown unwavering dedication to capacity building, preparedness, and timely crisis response. A-PAD is proud to be part of this milestone, which highlights the private sector’s role in disaster mitigation, and will continue to encourage more companies to get involved.