The winning Trincomalee cricket team

Over the years, Sewalanka Foundation has boasted a special family style culture that looks after the health, education, well-being and the security of staff or the extended ‘Sewalanka family’.

The Sewalanka Welfare Society was specifically established in 1998 to look into the personal and social wellbeing of staff. This September, the society ran a staff sports meet in the hills of Sri Lanka.

Staff from across the island converged on the green but wet surroundings of Hatton to take part in the event.

Over a two-day period, staff braved the rain to play cricket, netball and volleyball games. Regional teams were established and the tournament took on an all island championship format. Although all good spirited, rivalry was at times intense.

Men’s cricket was hotly contested with eventual winners Trincomalee overcoming determined resistance from runners up Galle and regional rivals Batticoloa.

Participants displayed determination and commitment and matches witnessed some fine pieces of individual skill. Hat tricks were taken and Trincomalee’s star batsman struck a series elegant innings including a 50. It was felt however that there was no immediate danger of losing any members of Sewalanka staff to the national cricket team.

Women’s volleyball and netball matches also saw some stiff competition, though the rain did its best to interrupt play, Galle emerged overall winners of both events.

In true championship style prizes were distributed and the sporting heroes of the day collected their trophies to thunderous applause and vocal cheering. This done, the events assorted stars returned to their tour-busses and departed, not to a life of fame, glamour and advertising revenues, but to the day-to-day challenges of development work.

Highlighting the importance of such events, Sewalanka’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Kumari Bandara said that as an organisation, we understand that development work can be stressful and that it requires a special energy and commitment from staff.

“Attended by members of staff from all Sewalanka offices, the sports meet was not only a team building opportunity, but a fun, relaxing weekend and a small token of our appreciation to staff for their dedication to the organisation,” Ms Bandara said.