HSBC and SRI open libraries in Hambantota and Monaragala

Uda Mattala Vidyalaya and Kiula Vidyalaya in the Hambantota District and Usbim Vidyalaya and Kitulkotte Vidyalaya in the Monaragala District were each gifted with a fully-equipped library recently.

These were declared open by Nick Nicolaou, Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives, to encourage more reading amongst underprivileged communities. This was a collaborative effort between HSBC and the School Relief Initiative (SRI).

“This important corporate sustainability initiative for HSBC connecting with one of our key global pillars – education – has seen the successful completion and handover of six libraries across the country, and we hope to expand further by supporting more underprivileged schools all over Sri Lanka,” said Nicolaou.    The libraries, which cost approximately Rs. 400,000 each, consist of carefully selected collections of relevant top quality material. Also, once the libraries are set up there will be a lending system at each school, enabling children to take books home. SRI, the project partner, will look at the possibility of having a librarian at each school so that the libraries can be kept open during weekends to service the local community.   

The HSBC CEO further stated: “The focus on literacy should start early as children learn many of the skills they need for reading long before they begin school. In this library, some children will learn to read, and others will improve their reading skills. Based on past experience, we have reason to expect that it will help more than a few children to reach the standard required and make education much more interesting. Libraries link the past, present and future and we hope these wonderful centres will be a refuge where children can connect with their cultural past and the community around them, and cultivate skills and hope for the future.”

The libraries were installed to create a profound, safe and welcoming space for children, where books will allow them to dream and envision a better future. It also serves as a reminder that making the effort to help children thrive will enrich all of our lives – and society as a whole.  The library opening is part of HSBC’s corporate sustainability agenda that focuses on education and the environment. The bank has initiated many sustainable programs in these spheres to educate, empower and help combat climate change.