John Keells Foundation celebrates purpose-driven volunteerism at Volunteer Recognition Day 2026

The John Keells Foundation (JKF) convened its annual Volunteer Recognition Day, under the patronage of the Group's Chairperson, to honor the invaluable contributions of employees and business teams who dedicated their time and expertise to foster positive social change in Sri Lanka. The event took place on July 28th, 2026, at the prestigious Cinnamon Lakeside in Colombo, graced by the senior leadership of the John Keells Group, led by Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra.

Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Group CSR, unveiled the volunteerism highlights of the year, revealing a remarkable surge in volunteer participation. A total of 2,500 volunteers were involved in 4,842 instances, dedicating an impressive 105,096 hours of their time. The JKF Head of Group CSR highlighted that environment-based initiatives, Ditwah relief efforts, and the much-loved annual art fair Kala Pola emerged as the top three sectors garnering the most volunteer engagement during 2025/26.

A noteworthy aspect of this year's Volunteer Recognition Day was the strategic and purpose-driven volunteerism exhibited by the Group businesses. These collaborations, often in partnership with JKF, showcased the impact of collective service and were set to be highlighted at the event. Notably, this anniversary year marked JKF's 21st year in operation, prompting a commemorative activity – the development and launch of a customized Volunteer App.

The innovative digital platform aimed to streamline the entire volunteer process across the Group, already garnering attention and participation from over 1,100 staff members, including the Group Executive Committee.