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Virtusa: Engineering with purpose for a better tomorrow

Published

1 year ago

2024/11/26

Sustainability is a journey. Each modest action we take adds up to greater impact, and together, our endeavors can drive substantial change. The urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and the strain on our planet’s capacity highlights the necessity to not just rethink but, more importantly, expedite our actions. This makes it crucial for enterprise leaders to be deliberate in shaping their vision for the future in a way that harnesses the opportunities created by emerging technology such as generative AI, while also ensuring sustainable practices are embedded at the core.

One company who is up for the challenge is Virtusa, who believes technology and human ingenuity can solve society’s most urgent challenges. In that spirit, they embarked on a transformational corporate sustainability journey in 2010. Since then, they have made great strides toward commitments to environmental sustainability, building more equitable communities, and creating inclusive opportunities. Their sustainability initiatives aim to reduce our environmental footprint and demonstrate ethical maturity and respect for all and have earned them an EcoVadis gold ratings assessment and a score of A- for their CDP climate change repose.

Most recently, they achieved Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Validation for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets. Setting a science-based emissions reduction target helps companies develop a greenhouse gas reduction plan that provides a credible path to achieve net-zero emissions. The commitment to SBTi criteria signals dedication to establishing company-wide emissions reduction targets that are measurable for both Virtusa and their clients. Virtusa employs a comprehensive 360-degree strategy, ensuring sustainability is embedded internally, extends to vendors and suppliers, engages various other stakeholders (such as campuses and educational institutions, communities, etc.), and supports their clients through a consultative approach and sustainability services. It encourages long-term thinking and promotes a mindset that considers the consequences of current and future actions and decisions – a mindset that Virtusa calls Engineering First.

Beyond their commitment to environmental sustainability, they are also deeply invested in the communities where they work and live. Whether it’s restoring water bodies, supporting reforestation projects or supporting schools and hospitals in communities that need them the most, Virtusa strives to create meaningful progress by using their talent and engineering mindset to drive change. As part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, Virtusa is proud to play a pivotal role in the revival of Sri Lanka’s mangrove ecosystems, a project now recognized globally as the ‘United Nations World Flagship for Restoration’. By leveraging science-based methods and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, they’ve contributed significantly to this cause.

Virtusa’s global team is spread across 25 countries and 40 locations, creating a dynamic community that embraces various cultures. They are progressing towards 58% supplier diversity and 40% women representation in their workforce by FY26. They were recently recognized as a Great Place to Work® in eight countries: India, Sri Lanka, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, the UAE, Singapore, and Australia.

Learn more about their commitments at https://www.virtusa.com/sustainability

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.