New school built by Hayleys opens in Kathaluwa

CSR PROJECT: School life began anew last week for 496 children traumatised by the tsunami of December 2004 when they moved into a new school built by the Hayleys Group in Kathaluwa, Galle. Built and furnished in 364 days at a cost of Rs 75 million, the new G. V. S. de Silva Primary School is a well equipped primary school in the southern province.

Its construction was funded entirely by the Hayleys Group through donations from overseas business partners, well-wishers, employees and group companies.

The school opened its doors to its first batch of students on May 18, who had spent four and a half terms in makeshift sheds and an assembly hall of an adjacent school, as they watched it take shape.

The new school has 15 classrooms each capable of accommodating up to 40 children, two computer rooms with 10 computers, a laboratory, a library, assembly hall, rooms for music, dancing and art, a toy room, a sick room, counselling room, the principal's office, administration office, teachers' meeting room, playground, children's park and toilets, with all utilities such as water, power supply and access roads.

Hayleys Chairman Rajan Yatawara said the Group and its friends and associates from all over the world were privileged to help the people of the area in a time of grave need. He urged parents, teachers and students to ensure that the school and facilities are maintained in the pristine condition in which they received them.