LOLC ventures into another humanitarian effort through Divi Saviya

From left: LOLC Holdings Chief Operating Officer Kithsiri Gunawardena and LOLC Holdings Group Managing Director Kapila Jayawardena handing over the sponsorship to Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya Nawala Principal Nayana Wanniarachchi, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, and Kotte Divisional Secretary 

Kasun Senevirathna 

Students of Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala at the ceremony

Continuing to drive through the LOLC Divi Saviya humanitarian effort, LOLC Holdings commenced another community project focusing to fulfil the nutritional requirements of school students, this time, through ‘Daruwan Wenuwen Api’. 

The project was conceptualised by Matha Foundation, and was a joint launch with the Ministry of Education, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Divisional Secretariat and LOLC Holdings, as the core sponsor. 

The program offers a series of workshops on skill development and professional training to the students, during after-school hours. The pilot project of the series will facilitate 400 selected students from schools around Rajagiriya. Accordingly, Hewavitarana Vidyalaya, Rajagiriya will be hosted five days a week, and Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala will be hosted three days a week for a continuous period until the designated program modules are completed. 

LOLC as the prompt community sponsor in the forefront will be funding the nutritious meal plan that will be provided to all the students staying after school to take part in the series of workshops. 

The launching ceremony of the Daruwan Wenuwen Api project was held on 28 October, at Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala with the participation of Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha as the Chief Guest. The event was also graced by Matha Foundation Director Reverend Athuraliye Ratana Thero, LOLC Holdings PLC Group Managing Director Kapila Jayawardena, LOLC Holdings PLC Chief Operating Officer Kithsiri Gunawardena, LOLC Holdings PLC Head of Group HR Pradeep Uluwaduge, Kotte Divisional Secretary Kasun Epa Senevirathna, Nawala Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya Principal Nayana Wanniarachchi, officials from the Ministry of Education, Divisional Secretariat and LOLC, along with the students, teachers and other well-wishers. 

Commenting on the launch, Reverend Athuraliye Ratana Thero stated, “As schools remained closed for longer phases during the recent past, our children faced diverse dangers, addictions and challenges overtime. Matha Foundation initiated this project specifically to target the youngsters and to provide them with vocational education. Minister of Education, Mr. Susil Premajayantha as well as LOLC Holdings are key pillars of success for the continuation of this program. Our aim is to produce a stronger generation of children armed with life skills.” 

Sharing thoughts at the launching event, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha remarked, “We are now implementing educational reforms through discovering and guiding students through their areas of talent. Practical and vocational trainings will be incorporated to school syllabuses soon. Through this remarkable initiative by Matha Foundation, we hope to provide skills as well as nourishment to children. LOLC stepping forward to serve lunch to these students is greatly commendable.” 

Also commenting on the latest efforts by LOLC, Kapila Jayawardena mentioned, “It is agreed that children of certain segments of this country are subjected to malnourishment due to hardships faced by their families. Their attendance to school is also heavily affected by these dietary issues. Understanding the fundamental responsibilities of a leading corporate towards the nation, LOLC often ties bonds with various pressure groups to support this kind of community projects. Recently, under LOLC Divi Saviya we covered the most vulnerable groups island-wide, distributing ration packages supporting people surpassing 100 days. Likewise, we intend to further grow our humanitarian initiatives in the future.”