Malinga to bowl for Brandix
-- Iconic fast bowler signs up as Brand Ambassador to promote
CSRand HRD initiatives for country’s largest apparel
exporter--
Virtually on the follow through to his World Cup heroics in
the Caribbean, Sri Lanka’s newest cricketing sensation
Lasith Malinga has taken another milestone step, joining Sri
Lanka’s largest apparel exporter Brandix as a champion
of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
and Human Resources Development (HRD) initiatives.
The iconic fast bowler whose tinted curls and explosive round
arm action made him one of the top attractions at the 2007
Cricket World Cup will play the role of a Brand Ambassador
for Brandix, Sri Lanka’s ‘inspired solution for
branded clothing,’ promoting and enhancing awareness
of the group’s efforts to advance best practices in
these two areas.
“Lasith was referred to us because he wants to have
a career after cricket, and has a lot of empathy for our environmental
initiatives,” Brandix Lanka Director AJ Johnpillai said.
“We were impressed by the passion he brings to his game
and the fact that he is planning for his future.”
“We believe Lasith can portray the values of Brandix
and contribute meaningfully to our efforts to communicate
these values to our 20,000 plus associates,” he said.
When he is not playing for his country, Malinga will undergo
training at the Brandix College of Clothing Technology (BCCT)
at Ratmalana and at other Brandix companies, and tour the
group’s manufacturing locations to educate workers on
initiatives to preserve the environment, save energy and promote
the conservation of water resources.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
with Brandix, the 23 year old Malinga said: “Brandix
is one of the most respected groups of companies in Sri Lanka
and South Asia. I have been particularly impressed by their
deep concern for community and environmental issues. They
have a reputation for being a leading ethical employer and
I am thrilled to be joining them as a Brand Ambassador.”
Lasith Malinga is the second top sportsman supported by the
Brandix Group. Chinthana Vidanage, the Sri Lankan weight lifting
Gold medallist at the last Commonwealth Games and a potential
medallist at the Beijing Olympics is also employed at Brandix.
Born on August 28, 1983 in Galle and educated at Mahinda
College, Lasith Malinga exploded on to the cricketing stage
in July 2004. Now the fastest bowler in the Sri Lankan team,
Malinga has captured 83 wickets in 24 tests and 57 wickets
in 38 one-day internationals. During the 2007 Cricket World
Cup, he stunned the cricketing world by capturing a world
record four wickets in four balls against South Africa, staking
a claim to be one of the game’s rising stars.
Brandix pioneered the concept of total solutions in the Sri
Lankan apparel industry and is Sri Lanka’s largest apparel
exporter with a consolidated annual turnover of over US$ 320
million. The Group’s CSR initiatives are primarily focussed
on water, which it uses in large volumes in its manufacturing
processes. Brandix has invested Rs 25 million in a training
facility and laboratory for water conservation and management
in Anuradhapura. Other initiatives include providing water
through desalination plants, wells and pipe-borne water to
communities in and around the Group’s manufacturing
plants. The scope of the Group’s projects has also been
extended to encompass sanitation.
July 17, 2007 |
