BL Sahan Sevana, a project aimed at empowering the differently-abled to help them to stand as equals and contribute to the development of the country, recently moved its ‘Hope’ cookies manufacturing facility to a new location in Ranala, Kaduwela.
The new facility, which is more spacious than the previous factory was opened by CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha. Eighteen differently-abled people are employed at the new factory. The new facility will continue to produce ‘Hope Cookies’ in a variety of flavours.
The employees of Sahan Sevana receive training on the various aspects of Artisan Cookie Manufacturing and cookies are manufactured under the expert guidance and supervision of CBL staff. A special team has been trained, specifically to guide and train the differently-abled individuals while the manufacturing process is supervised to ensure highest standard of quality.
CBL provides premium standard raw materials for the manufacturing of ‘Hope’ cookies, and is responsible for the marketing and distribution of the products.
Samitha Perera, Director/CEO of CBL Foods International Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits said, “CBL Sahan Sevana project reflects that if a person has the right determination, he or she can work for a living under any health condition. The uniqueness of this project is that it is not merely a CSR project created to help differently-abled people through sympathy but rather gives them an opportunity to be employed through their own talent.”
He said the company has invested over Rs. 30 million in this project. CBL Sahan Sevana was established in 2010 with eight differently-abled employees.
The profit generated from this operation is reinvested into the project’s upkeep and expansion.