First green pre-school in Sri Lanka constructed by Holcim Lanka

 Receiving the Green Label certification from CIOB: Holcim Lanka External Affairs and CSR Manager Krishantha Gamage, Minister of Petroleum Resource Development Chandima Weerakkody, CIOB Council Member Sidath Amarasinghe, CIOB Vice President Ruwan De Silva, Holcim Lanka Head of Sustainable Development, Communications and External Affairs Farzana Khan, Holcim Lanka External Affairs Manager Venura Fernando, Holcim Lanka CSR Manager Charlotte Boutboul, Holcim Lanka Manager Technical Support Sampath Wijesekera and Immaduwa Provincial Council Dep. Chairman Udana Kusumsiri

Holcim Lanka this week handed over the first green pre-school to the people of Dikkumbura in Ahangama. The opening ceremony of the pre-school coincided with Ceylon Institute of Builders endorsing the building with their Green Label certification.

Minister of Petroleum Resource Development Chandima Weerakkody, President of Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) Dr. Rohan Karunaratne and the Holcim Lanka management attended the opening ceremony.

“We are proud to have participated in the construction of the first ever green pre-school of Sri Lanka. We believe this is an important step to inspire all other community buildings to embrace the sustainability principles,” Krishantha Gamage – External Affairs & CSR Manager of Holcim Lanka noted.

The first of its kind, the pre-school is built on the land provided by the Provincial Council and the building is composed of Soil Stabilised brick blocks and sourced directly from the close area of the pre-school. The carpentry uses locally sourced wood and the roof is composed of green labelled Zinc aluminium GI sheets 100% asbestos free. 

“We have strictly limited the usage of painting and putting and it is also equipped the building with solar power instead of CEB power solar panels and rainwater harvesting system to prevent any consumption from the national grid,” Krishantha further clarified.

Weerakkody, addressing the gathering stated, “I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to Holcim Lanka. It is an honour for Habaraduwa to consider our children who are our future and it is also very much appreciated that Holcim Lanka provides the first Green certified kindergarten in Sri Lanka, which is a milestone for the entire country sustainability journey.”

Little Imashi from the school stated: “I like this classroom. We play in this school and it is not hot or sweaty. I come to pre-school daily, thank you Holcim uncles for giving us a new classroom”.

Holcim Lanka was presented with several project proposals to consider and identified that the construction of the Panchaliya Pre-School was a dire need to the children of Dikkumbura. “The Ruhunu Cement Works Community Advisory Panel (CAP) pointed out that the existing building of the Panchaliya Pre-School was not sufficient to cater the demand in the area,” Krishantha elaborated.

At the opening Ms. Jayanthi Wijesooriya from Dikkumbura stated, “Our kids were facing a lot of issues in the existing preschool due to the lack of space and other limited resources. Holcim Lanka has given a nice Pre-School to our children. Establishing solar power and rainwater harvesting is very good. As a parent I must give my sincere thanks to Holcim Lanka for acting on such valuable social work. I wish Holcim Lanka the very best”.

In keeping with their Corporate Social Responsibility towards sustainable and environmentally friendly construction, Holcim Lanka undertook the construction of a green building. “During the construction the process was closely monitored by the Green Auditors and today we received the Green Label certification by the CIOB,” Krishantha reiterated.