Fashion Bug presented with an Award in recognition of “Sisu Dirimaga Foundation”
Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading Fashion retailers with over 17 outlets island wide, was recognised for the work carried out by them via their ground breaking Sisu Dirimaga Foundation, including their Career Guidance programme for G C E A/L Students and school leavers, the drinking water project that was completed and presented to the Ovitigamuwa Maha Vidyalaya, the donation of the computer unit to the Thumbe Kanishta Vidyalaya, and the sponsorship of the Dhammikka Kithulgoda scholarship foundation. The Hon. Mangala Samaraweera - Minister for Foreign Affairs - presented them with an award at an A/L Seminar, which was held at St. Thomas College, Matara. This event was also fully sponsored by Fashion Bug. Professor E. A. Illeperuma conducted the programme at St. Thomas College, Matara, for over 1000 A/L Science and Mathematics students, with discussions using past examination papers on the subject of Chemistry.
Fashion Bug has conducted the Career Guidance programmes under the Sisu Dirimaga Foundation in a total of 20 schools to date, with over 7000 students having participated in them. “The Sisu Dirimaga Foundation is a sustainable CSR platform as opposed to miscellaneous one-off projects that lack long-term objectives. The Sisu Dirimaga programme will ensure that all our projects stem from one key platform, establishing a clear CSR identity for Fashion Bug as a responsible corporate citizen, as well as bettering the prospects of rural school leavers. Moreover, developing underprivileged schools in rural areas through mobilizing of projects, upholding and financially enabling underprivileged students who excel academically, enabling the dreams of those with the desire to learn and making a reality of education for all no matter your circumstances, is our goal. We will be conducting these pro- grammes in over 120 schools island wide, and over 100,000 students will benefit as a result,” said Shabier Subian, Director of Fashion Bug and Founder of the Sisu Dirimaga programme.
In addition, Fashion Bug is also involved in several other CSR projects which include the Kalubowila Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Ragama Hospital and an env i ronmental project in Kurunegala, namely ‘ Thuru Sahasak’ and “Puruduwanna”.
Fashion Bug was founded in 1994 in Bandarawela with a 7 member team, the first shop being a mere 500 square feet in Bandarawela town. The brainchild of its founders, Mr. Rizal and Ashan Subian and Mr. A.C.M. Tharick, today it has evolved into a household brand that boasts of 17 outlets island wide. Fashion Bug currently numbers over 1,250 Sri Lankan men and women amongst its staff, who hail from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities; hence they constitute a truly Sri Lankan corporate entity. An equal opportunity employer, Fashion Bug prides itself on the fact that they invest in their employees, which they believe is a key to their success. Very high on the Company’s list of priorities is the preservation of racial and ethnic harmony and unity which is evidenced by the fact that all communities and religions work side by side at Fashion Bug’s outlets and factories. While the development of Fashion Bug as a premiere retail outlet is an ongoing process, CSR is very much at the core of the Company’s day to day operations, and of prime consideration in the overall corporate strategy. there, as the celebrations were taken to another level with the Graduation Ball which allowed the students to celebrate their accomplishments in style and end their student life on a high note.