Lanka Bell renovates the NICU at Lady Ridgeway

Infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital will now receive treatment in a more comfortable atmosphere thanks to a CSR initiative launched last week by Lanka Bell, the country’s leading CDMA operator. The company funded the air conditioning of the NICU with monies contributed by employees to the Lanka Bell Sports Club.

Lanka Bell employees also participated in a ‘Shramadana’ to clean and paint the waiting room, mother’s area, isolation area, lecture hall and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of NICU as part of this project.

The company has also introduced a scheme to assist low income patients who cannot afford to buy their medicines from outside when hospital stocks run out. The scheme will be managed by the hospital.

Adding value to these projects, a blood donation campaign was held for Lanka Bell employees to donate blood for the hospital’s blood bank.

“We are happy to support the country’s premier children’s hospital to improve its facilities”, said Lanka Bell Managing Director Suren Goonewardene. “As the only 100 percent Sri Lankan owned telecommunication company Lanka Bell is committed to contribute to the wellbeing of the community and children’s welfare is a priority”.

Channa Soysa, President of Lanka Bell Sports Club for 2007-08 together with directors and senior management of the company presented the Air Conditioning units to Dr. Sri Lal De Silva, Consultant Pediatrician in charge of the NICU.

The leading CDMA operator in Sri Lanka with a subscriber base of 750,000, Lanka Bell was established in 1997 with an initial investment of US$ 150 million and was the pioneer of CDMA technology in Sri Lanka. Among the company’s key strengths have been its strategic partnerships for retailing of its products and services as well as for customer service. Lanka Bell CDMA connections are sold through 62 branch offices and over 350 Singer retail outlets which offer customers more affordable financial options to purchase phones.