Hemas to build model ‘Piyawara’ pre-school in Jaffna

Similar models for other districts in the North:

Hemas Holdings PLC Ltd recently laid the foundation stone for a new Hemas Piyawara Pre-School in Jaffna under the distinguished patronage of Douglas Devananda and the Jaffna Mayor Yoga Patgunarajah.

Situated in Nallur, Jaffna this Pre-School is funded by Hemas Holdings PLC at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 million. The project will be implemented by UNOPS and is expected to be completed by October this year thus making it the 33rd Hemas Piyawara Pre-School in Sri Lanka.

Hemas Holdings Director Abbas Esufally said, “We are now in a critical phase of post-war reconstruction and development. After thirty years of hardship, the people of the North have the right to enjoy the similar benefits enjoyed by their fellow citizens in the rest of the country.

As a responsible corporate citizen we are happy to assist the national effort to build bridges, help the people of the North re-start their lives and prosper together as a single nation. Piyawara being a totally sustainable project, I have no doubt that it will change the lives of the children in Jaffna”.

‘Piyawara’ is a community service project initiated by Hemas in association with the Children’s Secretariat of the Child Development Ministry since 2002. The project’s aim is to promote higher standards in early childhood development, by setting up model centres and creating awareness throughout Sri Lanka.

Hemas Corporate Communications Manager Shiromi Masakorala said, ‘With speedy re-settlement now taking place, a state-of-the-art pre-school has become a necessity in these areas. Our intention is to build four more such pre-schools in the war-torn areas of Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu. We are looking to raise funds for the balance schools through grants from international organizations’.

“As a short term relief to the IDPs, Hemas initially set up a series of pre-schools and play areas in the Menik Farm in Vavuniya since February 2009. These facilities provided pre-school education to several thousands of IDP children.

These schools are still functioning to date in the Menik Farm, with much less children however, due to successful resettlement taking place”, Masakorala said. At present Hemas fosters 32 pre-Schools in all districts throughout the country with an investment of approx Rs. 200 mn. CSR work is carried out through the Hemas Outreach Foundation which is a Government Approved Charity. It is managed by a Trust that includes eminent personalities in Sri Lanka together with Hemas Board Directors.