By Dr. Kayathri Periasamy
In today’s fast-paced world, modern lifestyles have brought convenience—but often at the cost of health. Poor diets, sedentary routines, and increasing stress have contributed to a rise in lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Much of this begins in the workplace, where long hours, tight deadlines, and unhealthy habits have become common.
To address this growing concern, Suwa Diviya—a nonprofit initiative committed to diabetes prevention and holistic wellness—launched a new corporate wellness campaign titled “Ready to Live a Healthier Life” on World Health Day. The ongoing campaign aims to help companies across Sri Lanka promote employee health and well-being as a key part of their sustainability strategy.
According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for the majority of global deaths in 2023. Cardiovascular diseases led the count with 17.9 million deaths, followed by cancer (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2 million, including complications like kidney disease). These figures show the urgent need to shift from treatment to prevention—and the workplace is the ideal place to begin.
Suwa Diviya commenced this initiative with a wellness day at Sunshine Holdings, providing employees with free health screenings, expert discussions, and healthy food experiences. The ongoing campaign also offers customized wellness plans for businesses, ongoing education on key health issues, and long-term support to create lasting change.
Workplace wellness is not just a matter of goodwill—it’s a smart business strategy. Companies that invest in employee well-being benefit from improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, higher morale, and lower healthcare costs. It also strengthens company culture and aligns with broader sustainability goals.
Simple, practical changes can make a big difference. Suwa Diviya encourages companies to offer lower-sugar beverage options, organize expert-led health talks, introduce fitness and stress-relief activities, display wellness tips in common areas, and replace unhealthy snacks with nutritious alternatives. These steps help create a culture where making healthy choices becomes easier for everyone.
Health is not just an individual responsibility—it’s a shared one. Employers play a vital role in helping people live healthier lives. By prioritizing wellness at work, companies can protect their most valuable asset: their people.
To organize the “Ready to Live a Healthier Life” campaign for your company, please contact Sayanthini at +94 773 533 791.
