Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Educational Assistance Initiative completes 25 years

CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha (centre) hands over Shishyadara to a Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara recipient, Director/CEO Nalin B. Karunaratne and Group Director Jayampathi Bandaranayake look on

Fifty Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara recipients pose for a photograph at the Munchee factory premises    

Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara CSR initiative was launched 25 years ago with the noble aim of providing assistance  to school children who are facing many hardships  in carrying out their education due to economic difficulties. This is because Munchee as a local brand firmly believes that any kind of contribution made for the education of children is not only a future investment but also a foundation for ensuring sustainability.

During the past 25 years, the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program has been a strong helping hand for many needy school children living in all parts of Sri Lanka to continue their education. The number of Students who have been supported to light up their lives through the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Educational Assistance Initiative exceeds 3000 up to now.  Among them are students who have received assistance for pursuing their studies right up to the university level from year five. It is noteworthy to mention that they represent every community of people living in this country.

The value of the assistance provided during the past twenty five years through this CSR Initiative is estimated to be over Rs. 50 million. Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program is recognised as one of the largest educational support initiatives implemented by a private sector organisation in Sri Lanka and has received many accolades for its service towards the education of children. 

One unique feature of this CSR initiative is that it facilitates the close rapport and relationship with the beneficiaries to maintain greater flexibility for offering more tailor-made facilities. Munchee Field Sales Force spread all over the country also provides tremendous support towards the success of the program. 

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program, a special event was held at the Munchee factory premises in Pannipitiya recently. Fifty selected school children from all parts of the country were selected to award Tikiri Shishyadara for their education. In addition to one year's Shishyadara payment, many valuable and useful gifts including books, school equipment, school bags and gift parcels were presented to those selected Shisyadara recipients at a cost of Rs. 2 million under the sponsorship of Munchee. 

The distribution of Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara and other prizes was done under the patronage of CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha. The board members and senior management of the company were also present on this occasion.

CBL Director/CEO Nalin B. Karunaratne said that giving hands and hearts for education always gets priority among Munchee community care programs. Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program stands out among all such programs and it is indeed a pleasure to be able to continue it for 25 consecutive years despite various challenges. It is a matter of great satisfaction that thousands of Munchee Tikiri   Sishyadara recipients have enlightened their lives and become useful citizens for the country. He said that a significant number of these beneficiaries  have already become  professionals such as doctors, engineers, accountants, lecturers and teachers and are serving the society.

Sethika Metsilu, a student from  Panadura who has been able to succeed in his education and obtained 9 “ A” passes at the  recent G.C.E.(O/L ) examination, explained  the participants about the support he received through the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara educational assistance Initiative for pursuing his studies without any issue. 

It was also a special privilege for the students who participated at the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara distribution event to get an understanding of biscuit production through the newly opened Munchee Viewing Gallery at the company. 

In addition to the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program, Munchee has launched many other CSR initiatives including Munchee Sisu Diriya, Manchi Tikiri Thurupath, Manchi Ekk Pothak, Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana and Munchee Suvarakshaka Pasala for the benefit and welfare of the student community in this country.