More children benefit from Commercial Bank donated IT labs

More than 1,800 schoolchildren in three schools have received IT training facilities under the Commercial Bank's long term community initiative to improve IT education in the country.

The Bank recently provided comprehensively equipped computer laboratories comprising brand new computers installed with certified genuine software, laser printers and required furniture to the Dunuwila Rathanapala Maha Vidyalaya near Katugastota, the Sri Jayawardenapura Vidyalaya - Kotte and Pilimathalawa Junior School, continuing a CSR programme which has already benefited several thousands of schoolchildren especially in rural areas of the country.

These donations will benefit students in the three schools by enhancing their knowledge of computers and by providing them access to the internet, enabling them to do research and access information for their studies.

In addition, the donation to the Dunuwila Rathanapala Maha Vidyalaya will support the school in its drive to adopt the '5S' concept.

This school accommodates about 700 students and has classes up to the G.C.E. Advanced Level.

The donation to the Sri Jayawardenapura Vidyalaya is the first such project carried out in the Colombo District by the Bank in 2011. The school with 740 pupils was previously known as Christian College, Kotte and has produced illustrious students of the calibre of Anagarika Dharmapala and Ananda Samarakoon. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the country.

The Pilimathalawa Junior School which was also assisted by the Bank offers classes up to Year 5 and accommodates 420 students.

The project was initiated by the Commercial Bank's CSR Trust.

The Commercial Bank has chosen IT education as a key element of its CSR commitments. The Bank has to date provided IT labs to schools in Tangalle, Badulla, Nawalapitiya and Kataragama. The Bank plans to establish similar facilities at more schools in other parts of the country in the course of the year.

Commercial Bank contributes up to 1% of its post tax profits every year towards its CSR Trust. By end 2010, the Bank had committed a total of Rs 160 million to the trust. In addition to its commitment to establish IT education facilities, the other principal initiatives of the Bank's CSR Trust are the grant of annual scholarships to undergraduates, supporting health projects around the country and conducting of programmes to upgrade English education.