Colombo - An FAO first, the Employee Recognition Initiative was launched by the FAO Director General this year to celebrate the diversity of FAO employees and of their contribution to the work of the Organization around the world. The Employee Recognition Initiative showcases some of the numerous instances of team spirit, professionalism and the hard-working, down-to-earth attitudes needed in order to contribute to the eradication of hunger.

Nominations were collected throughout the Organization to recognize colleagues in two categories: 100 Excellent Employees and 100 Best Young Employees. Two employees from the FAO Representation in Sri Lanka were selected for the two categories, from among 11 561 employees working at FAO globally.

Accordingly, Niranjala Gunaraj (Administrative Associate) was recognized among the 100 Excellent Employees and Mahina Bongso Hussain (National Media and Communications Consultant) was recognized among the 100 Best Young Employees at FAO. The selection was officially announced by the FAO Deputy Directors on 11 December 2019, and their achievement was highlighted at a ceremony held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on 18 December and streamed live via FAO’s webcast service.

A shortlist of nominees were submitted from each FAO office located nationally, regionally and globally for the Employee Recognition Initiative launched by FAO Director General Mr Qu Dongyu in November 2019.  

The FAO Representation in Sri Lanka nominated Dihan Hettige (Assistant FAO Representative – Administration), Malika de Mel (Principal Secretary) and Niranjala Gunaraj (Administrative Associate) for the 100 Excellent Employees category. Mahina Bongso (National Media and Communications Consultant), Nalini Balamohan (Admin/Finance Assistant) and Sharen de Silva (HR/Admin Assistant) were nominated for the 100 Best Young Employees category. All nominees were felicitated at the FAO 40 Years in Sri Lanka Anniversary event held on 5 December 2019 in Colombo.