MAS CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION FOR SRI LANKA YOUTH

His Excellency Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway and His Excellency Michel Lummaux, Ambassador of France were the Guests of Honors and Mr Joel Bacha, ESD project coordinator of UNESCO Asia pacific regional office Bangkok was also present. The audience comprised additional secretaries for the Ministry of Education, 29 school principles, 29 teachers and 280 students.

Pallekanugala Maha Vidyalaya, Walagedara Maha Vidyalaya, St. Mary's (Tamil)  Maha Vidyalaya Yatiyantota and Ms. Achini Pearl Ratnayake of Pallekanugala Maha Vidyalaya were the 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place and the Most Committed Teacher winners respectively.

Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean, Chairman MAS Holdings presented the 1st place award to the students of Pallekanugala Maha Vidyalaya for their winning project on Student Personality Development.  The project was a systematic and effective approach to develop the personalities of students by understanding the problems at hand and developing solutions to overcome them.

Commenting on the honor His Excellency Michel Lummaux, Ambassador of France stated, “For the first time in Sri Lankan history we see a training dedicated for the students in sustainable development. In the future, employment related to sustainability will be more valuable compared to the rest”

His Excellency Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway provided us with some insight to the worlds contribution to sustainability by stating, “The fact that the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Al Gore, former vice-president of the US, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a dramatic statement about the need to tackle climate change and underlines the gravity of the situation facing our planet.”

Mr Joel Bacha, ESD project coordinator of UNESCO Asia pacific regional office Bangkok stated in his key note address, “Today we experienced what the youth of Sri Lanka have done to demonstrate the sustainable change needed in the world and their impeccable contribution towards learning it. You have to be the change you want to see in the world and these students have certainly shown us that”

Mr. Ravi Fernando, Director, Corporate Branding and Strategic Sustainability, MAS Holdings added, “We are born to this world to ensure that we protect our mother earth. This programme has set a benchmark in teaching sustainability across the region”

Today, MAS is the lead strategic partner for Victoria’s Secret (VS) servicing numerous global brands including Nike, Speedo, Marks & Spencer (M&S) & Triumph international. Our global operations include design studios & 30 world class manufacturing facilities spearheaded by our skilled international team of over 44,000 people. We continue to be committed to ethical and sustainable practices that complement the balance in social & environmental spheres alongside our operational excellence.

The opening of the MAS Fabric Park in Thulhiriya re-confirmed our commitment to sustainable opportunities. Sri Lanka’s first privately owned eco-friendly industrial part was launched at the end of 2007, offering investors the opportunity to focus on their core business activities, whilst the park managers the complete solution of water, electricity, effluent treatment, human resources, training and lifestyle. The first ever green power supply agreement to be signed in Sri Lanka affirmed our commitment to eco- sustainability.

MAS FABRIC PARK /MAS ECO GO BEYOND SCHOOLS GREEN COVER PROJECT

Mrs. Sandhya Wijebandara, Additional Secretary, and Ministry of Education planting the first tree. ( L – R) Mr. Lalith Samarawikrama , Chief Operating Officer, MAS Fabric Park Mr. Chandan De Silva, CEO, MAS Institute of Management and Technology, Mr. Timothy Speldewinde, Member of MAS Holdings Board/MD  MAS Fabric and Mr. Ravi Fernando, Director, MAS Fabric Park Board

UNESCO FORMS ALLIANCE WITH MAS TO EDUCATE YOUTH ON SUSTAINABILITY

MAS Active continues to be committed as a social and environmentally responsible manufacture by adhering to global compliance standards.

WRAP - Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production is an independent, non-profit corporation dedicated to the certification of lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world. The objective of the Wrap Certification Program is to independently monitor and certify the factories for compliance with detailed practices and procedures implied by adherence to the set standards.

The WRAP Certification Program certifies individual factories for compliance with WRAP's principles and procedures concerning fair pay, workers' dignity, safe and secure conditions and environmental impact.

On 30th April, 2008 WRAP certified all nine MAS Active manufacturing plants for the outstanding dedication to global compliance standards.

Steven A. Jesseph, President and CEO of WRAP mentioned, “It’s my distinct pleasure to present this certificate of recognition and appreciation for your outstanding commitment socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing. Through your personal leadership, MAS Active now has all manufacturing facilities certified to the WRAP standard. Your participation and active support of WRAP is greatly appreciated.”
 
About MAS Active
With a support network of the region’s most specialized production facilities combined with a team-spirited and committed workforce, MAS Active create an unbeatable design-to-delivery solution.

Providing national and international sportsmen and women with high-visibility, performance enhancing attire that defies the very boundaries of speed, technology and superlative seamless capabilities has helped the division to stand out from its competitors.

MAS Active is the strategic business partner to Nike, Speedo and the fastest growing supplier of activewear to internationally recognized brands such as Reebok, adidas, and Speedo.