Distribution of computers to Kalutara schools under IRCON, India’s CSR scheme

Saturday, 13 July 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility scheme, Ircon International Ltd., India, distributed computers and computer furniture to five under-privileged schools in the Matugama district to promote computer education among school children from economically depressed groups. Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama handed over the computers and the furniture to all five schools on 2 July 2013 when the Minister along with IRCON General Manager S. L. Gupta, visited these schools. Students of Maliyadeva Primary School, Pelenda Tamil School, Uskvali Tamil Vidyalaya, Pelenda Maha Vidyalaya and Pelenda Muslim Vidyalaya benefited from this project. All these schools had no access to computer education previously and the students, school management and parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude to IRCON for their compassionate gesture, thereby making a dream come true for them. CSR is part of Ircon’s core business. Ircon focuses on corporate social responsibility initiatives where there is value creation in the longer term, thus demonstrating its commitment and respect to all its stakeholders. IRCON’s social commitments are carried out in five key focus areas namely education, health, community development, generation of self employment and the empowerment of women. Last year, IRCON completed many projects under their CSR initiatives. These projects included the construction of a 100 square metre community hall at Matugama, a fully furnished primary health centre with brand new ambulance facility at Medawachchiya and Mankulam, a community hall at Mannar and waiting benches for passengers at the Amablangoda and Hikkaduwa railway stations. IRCON International Ltd., a subsidiary of Indian Railways, is re-constructing the 252 km long rail link in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, from Medawachchiya to Talaimannar Pier and from Omanthai to Kankesanthurai for Sri Lanka Railways, funded by the Indian Lines of Credit. On 14 May 2013 IRCON handed over the first segment of this prestigious project, namely the completed track from Medawachchiya to Madhu Road (43km) for commercial operations. Presently the local public is enthusiastically using the re-constructed railway line. IRCON General Manager S. L. Gupta said that the other sections of the Northern Railway projects are progressing on schedule. “The second segment of the Northern Railway line project from Omanthai to Kilinochchi, covering a distance of 63 km, is scheduled to be opened shortly. The culverts and bridges of the section are nearing completion and the track linking activities are in progress.” IRCON expressed confidence in making ready this next 63 km segment of modern railway track to the people of Sri Lanka as per the scheduled date. Recently, IRCON also handed over three new locomotives, commissioned and test run, to Sri Lanka Railways. These locomotives are supplied as part of the Northern Railway Projects. A team of 11 technicians and six senior officials from India’s Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi were in Sri Lanka for the commissioning of these locomotives. SLR officials reported that the test run from Ratmalana to Trincomalee, under actual working conditions, attaching 12 coaches to the engine, was successfully completed. Gupta went on to say that the second set of three locomotives would reach Sri Lanka by mid July 2013.