The CDB Advance Green Challenge, an internal event hosted for Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) employees was held recently.
The grand finale took place recently at the BMICH. The chief guest was Chairman/CEO of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability (Pvt) Ltd, Dr. Ravi Fernando.
Aligned with CDB’s Sustainability Agenda, the CDB Advance Green Challenge is a flagship program, emphasising the engagement of CDB team members and the inculcation of green practices. This event served as a powerful demonstration of CDB’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social progress of its team members.
The theme of CDB Advance Green Challenge, “Engage Mindful Team Members,” emphasised the significance of individual and collective actions in building a sustainable future while instilling the right mind-set and proactive behaviour towards climate action. The program aimed to foster environmental consciousness among CDB team members, inspiring them to become agents of positive change in their personal and professional lives.
AGM, Marketing and Sustainability, CDB Charitha Warnakulasooriya said, “At CDB, we take sustainability very seriously and it is embedded in our business strategy. Transforming our people in line with this is of equal importance. CDB Advance Green Challenge is one of the key platforms through which we expand the knowledge of team members, all while inculcating a sense of sustainable living in their lives. We have expanded this year’s edition to feature a green debate and short film competition to drive our messaging even further and I am confident that this will certainly have a lasting impact.”
The CDB Advance Green Challenge’s preliminary round started in February, during which over 400 CDB team members from branches across the island participated in various competitions including a Green Quiz, Green Debate and Green Short Film screening. After intense competition, four teams each comprising knowledgeable and dedicated team members from the Green Quiz and Debate segments emerged as finalists, along with six short films.
In the grand finale, the teams showcased their knowledge and commitment to green sustainability through a thrilling Green Quiz. Following a series of challenging questions, Team Recovery was the winner. Finishing second, third and fourth were Team Risk and Compliance, Team Internal Audit, and Team Finance. The judges were Amjad Azmeer of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka and Advisor, Biodiversity Sri Lanka, Shiranee Yasaratne.
CDB’s Team Contact Centre and CDB Team Wellawatta were the winners of the Green Debate Segment in Sinhala and Tamil languages, with Team Legal and Team Trincomalee clinching second place. The judge was President: Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Kaushalya Nawaratne.
K. Y. Kaveesha Nethmini of Team Contact Centre and P. Kajenthika of Team Trincomalee clinched the titles of Best Sinhala and Tamil language debaters.
Channel Head of Shakthi and MBC Networks I. Gajamugan was the judge of the Tamil debate competition.
Parallel to the Green Quiz, the Short Film Competition attracted submissions from branches islandwide. Of the short films submitted during the initial stage, six entries were shortlisted and showcased during the event.
The jude Director, Siyatha TV, Kelum Palitha recognised CDB Team Jaffna’s short film as the winning entry, with Team Moratuwa and Team Mawathagama finishing second and third.