‘Dialog Digital Vesak Kalapaya’ Recognised at e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards 2020

Photographed left to right: Dushantha Ranwala, Tech Evangelist – Ideamart, Dialog Axiata PLC and Pasindu De Silva, Senior Biz Lead – Ideamart, Dialog Axiata PLC

Dialog Nethrabhiwandana ‘Digital Vesak Kalapaya 2020’, a web platform designed by Dialog Axiata PLC, to provide an interactive and immersive experience for Buddhist devotees island-wide was adjudged by the grand jury as the winner of the ‘Culture and Tourism’ category at the 10th e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards 2020.

As the country went into lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many lay forlorn at the thought of not being able to celebrate one of the country’s most sacred festivals – Vesak. In response to this, the company launched ‘Dialog Digital Vesak Kalapaya 2020’ enabling Sri Lankans across the country with an engaging experience to celebrate Vesak via a web platform from the comfort and safety of their homes. With the sole purpose of uplifting Sri Lanka’s spirit during these turbulent times, ‘Dialog Digital Vesak Kalapaya 2020’ came equipped with interactive elements including; virtual experience of the country’s most famous Vesak pandols & lanterns in 3D, a digital Vesak lantern competition, “Vesak Pethum” (e-cards with Vesak wishes which users can share with their loved ones), a live stream link to “Siri Dalada Waruna” hosted on the YouTube channel of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic), “Sadaham Sithuwili” (videos of priests reciting the Dhammapadaya Gatha along with its meaning) and virtual “Bhakthi Gee” performances along with an offer of Free Data for Dialog customers.

Speaking on this milestone moment, Amali Nanayakkara, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC stated "We are honoured to be adjudged the winners of the Culture and Tourism category at the e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards. We are humbled by this esteemed recognition of our efforts in providing interactive and inclusive platforms such as ‘Dialog Digital Vesak Kalapaya 2020’ to the public, thereby enriching Srilankan hearts & minds with easy accessibility to our deeply rooted religious customs amidst a country-wide lockdown along with a future-fit experience that reflects the transformative times of today”.

This will mark the second consecutive year that Dialog took home gold at the e-Swabhimani Digital Social Impact Awards, hosted by ICTA having previously bagged the award for its revolutionary Android application creation solution, ‘APPMAKER’. e-Swabhimani Awards hosted by ICTA is an awarding body which recognizes outstanding, forward-thinking and truly innovative local digital solutions and hi-tech applications that have created a positive social impact by helping make society more inclusive and efficient, offering new services, and empowering citizens.