News 1st wins prestigious A-PAD Global Award for Humanitarian Response

The Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) conferred its prestigious Disaster Management Award on News 1st at a ceremony held in Tokyo recently.

The Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (www.apadm.org)is a trans-national disaster aid alliance that works to facilitate cooperation and understanding between governments, the private sector and NGO sin the Asia Pacific region. Member nations include Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

News 1st was recognized for its innovative leadership in Sri Lanka, for outstanding reporting under extreme conditions during times of natural disasters, through decades of humanitarian response which includes relief, preparedness, awareness and even Search & Rescue.

High-ranking Japanese government officials including the Minister of Digital Affairs Tara Kono, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Takei Shunsuke, Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, and several members of the Japanese parliament, participated in the ceremony, which was for the 10^th anniversary of A-PAD.

Firzan Hashim, CEO of A-Pad Sri Lanka and COO of A-PAD international, was among those who participated. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Japan, Rodney Perera, was also present at the ceremony at the International House of Japan on 28^th February.

The award was received on behalf of News 1^st by Chevaan Daniel, Group Director of Capital Maharaja Group, and Suranga Senanayake, Head of Channel of News 1^st.

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