Corporate Social Responsibility in Sri Lanka - Case Study Example

Student Name: Tutor: Title: Corporate Social Responsibility in Sri Lanka Course: Corporate Social Responsibility in Sri Lanka Executive summary Sri Lanka is emerging as a promising environment of doing business. This report gives a clear picture of what is happening in Sri Lanka to guarantee investors of promising prospects. The introduction discusses the integral role of corporate social responsibility in the new era of business amidst the need for global change. The importance of civil society and the government as initial driving forces behind the development of corporate social responsibility has been highlighted. Sri Lanka’s history of human rights violation has been deeply been explored giving importance to the issue of religion, race, language, and culture. This part has explored circumstances that led to the years of conflicts and war. The following part discussed the promising prospects of Sri Lanka as an economy and what the government has put in place to ensure that the country is back on track. Various policies of the government have been explained and their contribution to growth and development evaluated. The last part has highlighted efforts by foreign companies to take part in Corporate Social responsibility with the aim of participating in the expansion program that has been laid down in Sri Lanka. Shangri-La Hotel, Sri Lanka Catering, and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC have been discussed emphasizing on the role they have played in painting a positive image of Sri Lanka through improve corporate social responsibility initiatives. A conclusion that reiterates the main points highlighted in the report marks the end of this report. Materials consulted are indicated in the bibliography. Table of contents Executive summary 2 Table of contents 3 Introduction 4 History of human rights violations in Sri Lanka 6 The government policies to revive economy in Sri Lanka 8 Foreign companies effort through CRS to mitigate human rights atrocities 13 Sri Lanka Catering 13 Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC 14 Shangri-La Hotel 18 Conclusion 20 Bibliography 22 Introduction Corporate social responsibility is the social responsiveness, accountability, and involvement of companies far beyond their requirement of the law and the profit making intention. It is participation beyond the requirement by the government. A business enterprise does not carry out its operations in a vacuum. It is found in a complex cultural, political, and social and institutional setting that mimics a web-like grid showing societal interrelationships. A business is every in interaction with various stakeholders. Corporate Social responsibility is becoming a crucial part of the business environment. In the last two decades there have been quick changes in the correlation between society and business (Grünewälder, 2008). Vital drivers of the perceived change has been globalization that is taking part in international trade, increase influence and size of companies, government repositioning and the increase in strategic usefulness of stakeholders relationships, knowledge and the reputation of the brand. The correlation between the civil society organizations and companies has changed from being paternalistic philanthropy to roles, responsibilities and rights re-examinations in the society of business. Corporate social responsibility has been a realistic approach to civil society and consumer pressure. Accusations by civil society and governments of human rights abuses, environmental pollution, and labor exploitation in supply chains, has pushed companies into being socially and environmental responsible. Besides, business enterprises have expediently acknowledged the strategic value of acting responsibly and aligning their business and products relationships through their supply chain. Globalization has occasioned new frontiers and precipitated new concerns and challenges. One purpose of corporate social responsibility is the need for companies to build and protect reputation and deal with risk across a set of cultures, socio-political situations, and cultures (Rathnasiri, 2003). Corporate social responsibility consequently translates to balancing the interests of a range of stakeholders and strategically managing the interconnected environmental, economic, and social impacts of activities in business. However, this does not mean that all concerned stakeholders have an equal dictate of the strategic direction but they are affected by the direction and they also affect it. Consequently there are about three ways in which companies take part in business case like cost alleviation, strategic, and cost benefit which offers benefit to the business whether in the short term or the long term. Both types of companies that apply shirt-term or strategic approach build stronger case for Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility take place at three important levels: it comprises eliminating and minimizing the negative the negative effects of business on the wider society and management of risk (environmental regulations and human rights abuses), compliance with legal responsibilities (workers’ rights, environmental regulations), and it also comprise of positive effects of business and value creation through innovation, partnership, and investment aligned towards environmental and social good (Schwartz, 2011). Processes and tools have been advanced to enable corporate social responsibility to be replicated, rewarded, and measured. In value creation companies use processes and tools such as community involvement, strategic alignment towards corporate social responsibility, multi-sector partnership, stakeholder dialogue, CRS-oriented advocacy, institution building, and social investment. In harm minimization use processes and tools such as environmental and social reporting and auditing, codes of conduct, voluntary standards, eco-efficiency measures, stakeholder dialogue, and multi-sector partnership. Compliance uses tools and processes such as legislation, criminal and civil prosecution, inspection, industry standards, and foreign direct liability. History of human rights violations in Sri Lanka Corporate social responsibility is important in creating value for the society. Human rights violations in Sri Lanka have adversely affected foreign direct investment in the country. Sri Lanka has gone through decades of war owing to the constant ethnic conflict between the minority Sri Lanka Tamils and majority Sinhalese. The role of religion is important in Sri Lanka context. Sinhalese are majorly Buddhist and this influence greatly their culture. During the British reign many Sinhalese harbored an attitude of disdain against Westernism and Christianity. On the other hand the Tamils are majorly Hindu with a small section of the population being Christians. Small populations of Malays and Moors are Muslim. The majority group makes up seventy four percent of the population whereas the Tamils consist of close to 12.6% of the population. Physically the groups are not distinguishable but they are able to trace their history to two very different origins. Sinhalese trace their descent from Aryans and they become the first inhabitants of Sri Lanka (Alston & Robinson, 2005). Sri Lanka Tamils have their origin to Dravidian roots and profess original rights to some parts of the island. The existing ethnic challenges can be traced to the time of the British reign in Sri Lanka. It is not clear whether the ethnic tension is longstanding or it emerged recently. Sinhalese viewed the British as learning towards the Tamils through setting up centers of education in areas that were considered to have majority of Tamil inhabitants and ended up taking a big chunk of professional positions in the society. In the event of the independence movement a system of government was created that hindered the minority Tamils a significant influence in Parliament. They remained a minority group that was exposed to prejudice. The Sinhalese nationalism began to consolidate immediately after independence. Regardless of there being an ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka the current tension was heightened by the issue of language. Owing to British education, majority of Tamils understood and used English that was required for many high ranking jobs (Rathnasiri, 2003). Top jobs in engineering, medicine, and education were held by the Tamils. Sinhalese abhorred hated the issue of the Tamils having employment advantage due to their proficiency in English language. The government after independence denied Tamils admissions into professional and high education. The Tamils serving within the government drastically thinned in number. The language question became an important issue in the politics of the day. The Sinhalese were of the idea that adopting ‘Sinhala only’ being the official language will revive the Buddhist culture and language. In the election of 1956, the Sinhalese part lobbying for the use of ‘Sinhala only’ won by an overwhelming majority (Raynard & Forstater, 2001). The Tamil minority remained sidelined in the composition of the new parliament. An Official Language Bill was introduced which sought to make the Sinhala to be the official language was introduced in parliament. As the Bill was being discussed in parliament, ethnic violence broke up in Eastern Sri Lanka and Colombo. The left members of parliament and Tamil Congress vehemently opposed the Bill but their opposition was not considered. Sinhala members of parliament did not know that they were making a firm foundation for ethnic, religious, and racial conflict between two major groups in the country. Discriminatory practices and the language issue remained to be a crucial issue to the minority Tamils. Ethnic and political animosity remained to be as cynical rhetoric. Politics in the country of Sri Lanka has revolved around the sensitive issue of human rights of minority groups particularly the Tamil citizens. The historical conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese has been the greater trigger of ethnic unrest and widespread human rights violations. The future of Sri Lanka is pegged on the resolution of civil war that is long-running. The conflict between the Liberation movement of Tamil tigers and the Sinhalese-dominated government has resulted in deaths of about sixty five thousands deaths and further displacement of others who are about a million in number. Unwillingness or inability of successive governments to come up with ways of guaranteeing true autonomy to minority groups especially the Tamils has initiated ethnic unrest and discord (Solomon, 2002). The history of post-independence Sri Lanka has been characterized by numerous violations of human rights. Sri Lanka has a history of state-led human rights violations targeting minority groups. Minority Tamils and some Muslims have been faced with violation of human rights that included enforced disappearance, extra-judicial killings, torture of opponents, arbitrary detention, negation of political and civil rights, and denial of political aspirations. This history taints the effort done by companies to improve corporate social responsibility amidst a tension-filled environment. The government policies to revive economy in Sri Lanka The government and private sector are putting in efforts to ensure that Sri Lanka economy grows and attracts investors from the world over. Sri Lanka has started practising responsibility through inclusive development which is based on strategic partnerships, enhanced and ethical competitiveness as well as a holistic sense of purpose. There is huge potential in Sri Lanka which can be tapped for the benefit of the entire nation. Many companies, the government and international organizations are trying their best to redeem the image of Sri Lanka. Different policies and mechanism have been put in place to try and give Sri Lanka a positive image that will attract investors and encourage companies to take part in corporate social responsibility. Sri Lanka started to liberalize its economy in the year 1977. From then considerable progress has been made. Nevertheless, this national has lagged behind in terms of liberalization and reform particularly following the 1997 Southeast Asian financial crisis. Building a strong economy has been a crucial goal that implementing reform. The country has been adversely affected by long years of civil war. The core strategy of the government is acceleration of economic growth through removing barriers to productivity and initiating review mechanisms meant to make sure that other barriers do not crop up. Increased productivity is important in increasing incomes and attracting investment. There are three about three tools in the government program for the nation to regain control of economic future. These comprise of accelerating the privatization process of commercial activities so that they are more productive being run by the private sector. Secondly, the legal foundation of the economy is being reformed. The government is bringing in new legislation in various vital economic areas. There is also increased efficiency in important government functions. These include efficiency in areas of custom and tax procedures. Reduced regulatory and trade barriers will enhance competitiveness. The government plans to introduce a Revenue Authority that is world-class. Increased employment rate is important result of high economic growth. The economy has to improve and the government plans to aid the process. Farmers will be granted with proper title to their land. This will make it easier for them to secure financial assistance from financial institutions. Opportunities for education and training will be created to enable young people to be equipped with the necessary skills required in the job market. People will improve their job prospects and consequently their income. The cost of living has to be reduced to ensure people can afford a decent livelihood (Government of Sri Lanka, 2002). Success in attaining peace and reducing poverty are national objectives that direct the implemented tools and objectives. The economy of Sri Lanka has indicated previously underlying strength that reflected the rick human and natural resources in the country. Economic growth rates of about 4 to 6% have been realized regardless of the conflict in the East and North, excessive regulation and intervention by a bloated public sector, and huge drain of resources by inefficient state owned enterprises in main sectors. Comprehensive economic and peace reforms will allow the reallocation of resources to uses that are more productive that will assist in the real growth that is required in raising incomes and increasing employment. The economic reform process has been underway in many sectors beginning from 1977 and what is needed is consolidating and completing initiatives that had been put in place earlier. Bringing Sri Lanka back on track presents the strategy by the government to meet the economic challenges facing the country and to drive back the economy on the course where economic benefits of an economy that is vibrant can be reaped. The progress faces constraints from the constraints occasioned by the public debt crisis, inherited weaknesses in infrastructure and power and the uncertainty that is ever present in the global economy. The effects of the recent global economic crisis cannot be ignored. Many countries were affected and Sri Lanka was not an exception. The education system in the country has to be upgraded to meet the prevailing needs. There is need for reform in the labor market. One of the encountered challenges is the balancing of the urgent need for crucial flexibility with the priority of protecting the employees. The newly enacted Employment and Industrial Relations Act creates flexibility in the labor market, increases labor productivity, and enhance upward mobility of labor. Amendments have been made on the Termination of Employment Act with the aim of setting specific limits for labor disputes settlements and the termination and arbitration of involuntary labor. Workers, the government, and employment organizations are committed to engage in social dialogue in order to ensure smooth implementation of labor market reforms and seeking further improvement labor laws, regulations, and relations (Solomon, 2002). The financial sector also requires reform. Despite some remarkable improvement, the stability and efficiency of the banking system remains to be as cause of concern owing to the weaknesses of the existing state commercial banks. Further reform in the banking system is guaranteed. The state banks are meant for restructuring. The assets which are non-performing in the People’s bank will be audited and assessed. For fostering opportunities for foreign investment, market development that is competitive, and ownership brokerage and insurance sectors will be enhanced. The government is set to pass a Financial Service Act to come up with regulating insurance, private provident funds, and securities market. It is also meant to improve auditing and accounting standards; and making sure that money laundering is prohibited. The monetary policy is aimed at maintenance of price stability and encouraging the development of secure and robust objectives (Vogel, 2005). The government has allowed the exchange rate to be determined in market-driven manner which is competitive, and will intervene in case of intervening in order to remove vitality. Indirect monetary management through open-market operations will be applied that expansion of monetary Base that is consistent with price stability. The capital account is being liberalized slowly by slowly. The Central Bank is committed to applying a suitable mix of financial market instruments and monetary policy to foster stability in prices and prudent soundness in the financial markets. Central Bank restructuring will ensure effectiveness. The country is set to mount a pension reform program which is meant to liberalize investment held by the private pensions as well as the provident funds. Enhanced management of pension schemes operated by the state will be subsequently enhanced by private fund management, mergers, foreign portfolio management, enhanced management reform and collection to minimize evasion. The power sector has also seen numerous reforms. The government wants to restructure the industry into several commercially management entities that are well managed and governed with a focus of delivering higher standards of service customers at a reduced cost. Energy Supply Committee was established and a legal framework of looking at Electricity Act and other Acts concerning power (Government of Sri Lanka, 2002). The government wants to ensure reliable and stable power supply in the future. Increased participation of the private sector is required as well as greater competition and rational tariff structure. The energy sector is important when it comes to attracting foreign investment to the country. These efforts are being done to present Sri Lanka as a stable and sustainable environment that can foster investment and competitive trade. Foreign companies effort through CRS to mitigate human rights atrocities Sri Lanka Catering Sri Lanka Catering has been praised for its corporate social responsibility efforts following its stead of winning two Mercury prizes in the recent past. It is a prestigious award in travel catering in the whole world that many companies are fighting for in the industry. SriLankan Catering is 100% owned subsidiary belong to SriLankan Airline but it is responsible for its own management, profitability, and economic infrastructure. It also provides services for foreign airlines like Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways. SriLankan Catering has various initiatives for Corporate Social Responsibility and they include policies for environmental protection, recycling, energy conservation, waste disposal and environmental awareness among its employees (Bacher, 2007). The company received the National Energy Gold Award in the category of large scale sector by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority in the year 2010. It also has the ISO 14001:2004 certification for having best environmental practices together with ISO 9001:2008 for exhibiting Quality Management Systems, HACCP-Cadex Alimntarius for Food Hygiene and Safety, and ISO 22000:2005 for Management Systems for Food Safety. The effort by the company to reduce its consumption of energy resulted in a superb forty percent reduction in usage of fuel and ten percent reduction in consumption of electricity from 2009 to 2010. SriLankan Catering possesses recycling programs that are highly successful. The company has had successful programmes like the conversion of food waste into animal feeds. The pioneering use of an AutoClave sterilization machine by the company made it to win two Mercury Awards. Food disposal has been greatly reduced through the application of technology. 45,990 kilowatts of electricity and 175,200 litres of diesel have been saved annually. The company conforms to local and international regulations regarding prevention of contamination by virus, spores, fungi, and bacteria through heating food wastes for half an hour at one hundred and twenty-one degree centigrade. An environmental farm nearby subsequently purchases the animal feed. The key aspect of the Airline Catering corporate social responsibility is creation of awareness among the staff. Comprehensive training process is run by the company in environmental best practices. The company has an ongoing plan of implementing a three year duration plan for conservation having subsections in Training and Promotional Matters, Standards and Accreditation, Community Development, Waste management, Water and Energy management in its new corporate social responsibility plan. Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC came first at the National Business Excellence Awards that was presented by Sri Lanka National Chamber of Commerce by scooping the overall Silver Award, Large Sector Award, Hospitality Category Gold Award, and also the Capacity Builders Category runners up. The National Business Excellence Award is a competition event which is organized by the Sri Lanka National Chamber of Commerce with the purpose of recognizing businesses which have shown excellence in performance as well as contributing positively to the country’s economic growth. Applications for the awards were vetted by a team of distinguished professionals and selection was carried out by a Panel of Judges who are experienced. Aitken Spence Hotels have shown positive effort and resilience towards making tourism to be a sustainable resource. Scooping of this awards indicate this reality. The Hotel chain swoop four top prices that is enviable. Sustainability has been made an important part of business operations and it has been recognized as the way forward by the Aitken Spence Hotel chains. Aitken Spence Hotel has been recognized as a contributor to economic growth while at the same time maintaining business practices that are sustainable. It also reflects accountability as well as advocating for sustainable tourism. This is a major course towards corporate social responsibility. Aitken Spence chain of hotels is strategically located in Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, and Oman and it caters for a diverse segment of the market and it is reputed for stellar services, global sustainable initiatives, and exquisite food (Anthonisz, 2008). The fame that has come with these developments has helped the position held by the chain of hotels to be one of the best in the region. The chain of hotels led in the hospitality category in the award ceremony. The properties of the hotel located in main tourist locations cater for a diverse base of client. Aitken Spence Hotels are portrayed has some of the greenest on the planet and this made it scoop the Large Scale Hotel category Gold Award in 2011. Sri Lanka’s industrialists, entrepreneurs and other related stakeholders who positively contribute to anti pollution and environmental conservation were recognized for their effort in green strategy, products, and practice. The National Green Award scheme is organized by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) with the purpose of providing an alternative system for greening the environment and controlling pollution instead f the prevailing control and command approaches and awareness and education programmes. The purpose of Sri Lanka programme is promoting management of environment that is sustainable in order to realize a green country using clean and green environment. 49 awards were presented under sixteen categories whereas organizations that are environmental-friendly were selected by the panel of judges after lengthy deliberations on their performance. Heritage Ahungalla was recognized as a hotel which is committed to sustainable practices both internationally and locally for culinary expertise, service excellence and to top it all: sustainability initiatives. The hotel received Energy Management ISO 50001:2011 certification and was categorized as the first resort globally to get such a certification. The team from Heritance Ahungalla positively makes efforts to preserve the ecological balance surrounding its amazing property as well as conserving energy. In order to reduce social risk within the environment, Heritance Ahungalla provides internships which are important in fostering community relations. The hotel has been noted to donate generously to the local community around especially through elder care and help children programmes. Heritance Ahungalla is one of the hotels belong to Aitken Spence Hotel chains. Aitken Spence Hotels have set the bar higher for practicing tourism that is sustainable and being committed to service excellence in the hospitality sector (aitkenspenceplc.wordpress.com). Sri Lanka has a huge potential as far as tourism is concerned and the positive efforts being done to restore the image of the country that had been destroyed by years of violence and human rights violations has began to show positive effects. Aitken Hotels ensure that all properties in Sri Lanka posses sustainable policies which are strictly adhered to. Bandarawela Hotel and Hotel Hilltop obtained the prestigious Earth Check Silver Status. The hotel is committed towards sustainability that goes beyond operations that are strategic. Aitken Spence Hotels have set a good example to other hotels in the sector on how to operate responsibly in tourism by contributing in terms of protecting bio-diversity, natural environment conservation, supporting livelihoods which depend on tourism, empowering local communities, preserving local traditions, crafts, and arts as well as reducing the effects of climate change through the use of biomass as energy that is renewable. The premier resorts of the company operate under the Heritance Hotels and Resorts. Premier business award ceremony in Sri Lanka is organized with the aim of promoting corporate social responsibility as well as Strategic Corporate Sustainability in the business sector (Bacher, 2007). This also provides a forum of discussing emerging issues concerning the industry’s sustainable development. Aitken Spence Hotel got two sector wards for Economic and Environmental contribution & governance. The integrated sustainability policy framework of the company which is implemented under the direction of the Board of Directors and Board of Management assumes a strategic approach to corporate sustainability which revolves around a strategic value creation that encompasses a wide range of issues that are required for development that is sustainable. Aitken Spence is one of the first signatories from Sri Lanka to the United Nations Global Compact which is a strategies policy initiative meant for businesses which are committed to aligning their strategies and operations with ten universally acknowledged principles in the areas of labor, human rights, anti-corruption, and environment. In the year 2011, Aitken was among few companies which were rated as ‘Platinum’ for second year running for STING Corporate Accountability Index 2011. In the Policy Coverage class it was identified as the best. Heritance Tea Factory scooped the prize of the Best Green Hotel and Energy Conservation Champion Awards at last year’s EU-SWITCH Asia Greening Hotels Awards. The occasion was organized by with the aid of the prestigious annual Corporate Social Responsibility Awards under the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the aim of recognizing environmental performance of hotels which are registered with the Project. European commission funds the Greening Sri Lanka hotels project on the Switch-Asia programme that has the purpose of encouraging environmental performance of hotels in Sri Lanka by improving water, waste, and energy management systems as well as cost reduction and enhancing acceptance in the market through low carbon footprint. Heritage Tea Factory was transformed from a dilapidated tea factory into a world-class hotel. Heritance Tea Factory has turned out to be one of the most coveted holiday places in the world. The hotel was duly rebranded as being Heritance property from the late 2009 after being refurbished completely. Shangri-La Hotel Shangri-La Hotel Colombo is set to be opened in 2015. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts started its venture in Colombo, Sri Lanka in February 2012. It is located Beira Lake and the Galle Face green promenade. There is a view of the Indian Ocean that is uninterrupted. The group which is based in Hong Kong bought 10 acres of land from the government in the year 2011 and it aim at opening the property by mid 2015. The hotel will be accessible with ease in only forty five minutes from International Airport of Colombo. Shangri-La is developing another property in Hambantota which is found on the southern part of Sri Lanka Coast. Shangri-La hotel in Colombo will be constructed following sustainability guidelines and will have some of the spacious accommodation in town. The hotel will have seafood market, steakhouse, sushi bar, Islamic restaurant, Indian restaurant, and a sky lounge on the top floor (Peinado-Vara, 2006). There will be facilities for meetings private functions, and receptions. There will be a health club which will have treatment rooms and other recreational facilities. The Shangri-La properties aim to be fully connected to the local community from the beginning. It will offer infrastructural support and employment opportunity. Both properties will take up Embrace, Shangri-La Care for People Project and intend to work with organizations working with children on education and health programmes over a long-term basis in areas of need such as improvement of infrastructure, school materials, nutrition, and hygiene. The hotel is identifying qualified schools in Colombo. Shangri-La acknowledges the special opportunity presented to develop a new niche of tourism talent within Sri Lanka. The properties will local workforce and will start a Hospitality Trainee Programme in order to actively take part in Corporate Social Responsibility. Young adults will be given an opportunity to take part fifteen to eighteen month training programme that will commence with basic skills in food and beverage service, front office, landscaping, kitchen, and gardens. Successful Candidates will be placed Shangri-La Hotels found in the world until when properties in Sri Lanka will be ready for takeoff. Sri Lanka is a country with a rich cultural heritage and unsurpassed natural beauty. Both Shangri-La properties fit strategically in the ongoing plans of expansions that are meant to link the Indian subcontinent to other development in South East Asia. This was conceded by the chief executive officer and president of the Shangri-La International Hotels. Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts which are based in Hong Kong are one of the world’s leading premier hotel companies. It currently manages and owns seventy eight hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands. The company has upcoming projects in Turkey, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Philippines, Mongolia, Malaysia, India, and China (shangri-la.com). Many companies in Sri Lanka are doing their best to demonstrate a strong recognition and application of Corporate Social Responsibility in order to enhance acceptability and cut into existing market share of established companies. Corporate Social Responsibility has proved to be very important in Sri Lanka after years of discrimination, war, suspicion, and other human rights violations. Conclusion Global change has increased the pressure of civil society and the government which has led to increase in corporate social responsibility by business enterprises. Sri Lanka is emerging to be one of the attractive tourist hubs in the world. Years of violence, discrimination, language constraint, and persistent war gave the country a bad name. Human rights violations have been rampant in the country and investors has hitherto shunned from investing in the country. Human rights violation era and discrimination traces back from the reign of the British rule in Sri Lanka. Sixty five thousand people have been killed in the conflict while about a million others have been displaced. Sinhalese majority have tried to intimidate and isolate the minority Tamil whom they claimed were favored by the British during their rule in Sri Lanka. Discriminatory legislations were enacted with the aim of isolating the Tamils. Official Language Bill that sought to make Sinhala the official language in Sri Lanka sparked sporadic that lasted for decades. The Tamil Congress was opposed to the Bill. A negotiated peace deal has led to an end to an era of violence that threatened to tear the country apart. The country is slowly but steadily emerging from the bloody era. There are various policies that both the government and the private sector to make sure that economic growth of the country and well as a sustainable monetary and fiscal policy are realized. Peace initiatives by international organization and the business sector have helped to realize the growth in the country’s economy. The role corporate social responsibility has been effective in painting the new picture that is emerging in Sri Lanka growing economy. Several foreign companies have tried their level best to demonstrate a high sense of corporate social responsibility which has attracted other investors to troop back into the country. This report discusses the major steps done by the government as well as business enterprises in realizing in realizing the huge steps that reverses the bad human rights violations records that was associated by the country. Bibliography Anthonisz, T., 2008, Corporate Social Responsibility in Sri Lanka: A National Business Systems Perspective, Colombo. Alston, P and Robinson, M., 2005, Human Rights Development: Towards mutual reinforcement, Oxford University Press, Oxford Bacher, C., 2007, Corporate Social Responsibility, GRIN Verlag, New York. Hawkins, D.E., 2006, Corporate Social Responsibility: Balancing Tomorrow's Sustainability and Today's Profitability, Palgrave Macmillan. Grünewälder, A., 2008, Corporate Social Responsibility, GRIN Verlag, New York. Government of Sri Lanka, 2002, Regaining Sri Lanka: Vision and Strategy for Accelerated Development, Government Press, Colombo. Peinado-Vara, E., 2006, Corporate Social Responsibility in Latin America, Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 21 (1): 61-69. Raynard, P and Forstater, M., 2001, The Business case for sustainability, SIGMA, London. Rathnasiri, H.C, 2003, Corporate Social Responsibility practices of Sri Lankan Private Sector: An exploratory study, Sri Lanka Journal of Management, 8 (3/8): 195-228. Schwartz, M.S., 2011, Corporate Social Responsibility: An Ethical Approach, Broadview Press, London. Solomon, H., 2002, Peace before development? Conflict Trends, 5 (1): 24-27. Vogel, D., 2005, The market for virtue: The Potential and Limits of corporate social responsibility, Brookings Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Read More