September 23, 2019. Colombo Hemas won the Grand Award for Asia’s Most Socially Responsible Company of the year at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards Ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand. The award was presented to Hemas for their commendable efforts in championing sustainable and responsible business whilst adopting an ethical and holistic approach to profit, planet and people. A key factor for the win is the visible role Hemas plays in society, which goes beyond core business impacting and promoting sustainable communities across the country in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka.

The award had over 325 applicants from across Asia of which 159 were shortlisted, with 59 selected. All entries are put through a stringent evaluation process, spanning six months, before winners were selected by a panel of esteemed jury members. Organized by the Mors Group, the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards recognizes successful companies and individuals in Asia across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility. This award provides a platform to bring Asia’s business aspirations and success stories to the world stage through knowledge sharing, recognition and research.

“Being a socially responsible company can bolster a company’s image and build its brand. The public perception of a company is critical to customer and shareholder confidence. By projecting a positive image, Hemas Holdings PLC has entrenched itself as a financially profitable organization with a big social conscience,” said Shanggari Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer of MORS Group the organizers of the event.

“It is an honour to be recognized at an international forum of this nature. In today’s context a sustainable organization should not only be focused on profit, instead it should also focus on how it impacts the economy, the environment and the communities. It is very important for the private sector to understand the needs of their communities and assist in addressing the gaps through partnerships and aligning its activities to UNSDG goals. For the private sector to sustain its businesses it’s important to have sustainable communities,” says Shiromi Masakorala, General Manager –Sustainability and Corporate Communications of Hemas Holdings PLC and Executive Director of Hemas Outreach Foundation.

About Hemas Holdings

Hemas Holdings PLC touches the lives of millions of loyal customers, every day, via its Consumer, Healthcare, Mobility, Leisure, Travel and Aviation products and services.

Over a span of seven decades, Hemas has delivered an award-winning range of diversified products and services that continue to help enrich lives, empower business, and make a positive contribution to the nation’s economic development. Hemas has also expanded regionally with operations in Bangladesh, West Bengal and Myanmar.

Award Ceremony

“Shiromi Masakorala, General Manager – Sustainability and Corporate Communications of Hemas Holdings PLC and Executive Director of Hemas Outreach Foundation and Mindika Thilakarathna, Manager – Group Sustainability and Special Projects of Hemas Holdings with Luis Bueno Nieto -Jury Panel Member of ACES Awards 2019, Shanggari Balakrishnan – CEO of MORS Group, Dr. Jayanthi Desan – Jury Panel Member of ACES Awards 2019 and Hemant K Batra – Honorary Chairman – Jury Panel of ACES Awards


Media Contact: Ishani Ranasinghe on +94 11 473 1731 (Ext. 1128)