Cairn Lanka uplifts rural education in Moneragala
On completion of the first phase of a programme to uplift education
in the country's rural outskirts, Cairn Lanka (Pvt) Limited in
partnership with the government unveiled four wholly equipped libraries
at four schools in the Moneragala District last week. The schools were
those identified in the library establishment programme, entered into
between Cairn and the Government of Sri Lanka through a Memorandum of
Article signed by the company earlier this year.
The setting up of libraries, which will help to create opportunities
for enhanced learning comes under President Rajapaksa's Mahinda
Chinthana programme and is also in line with Cairn Lanka's corporate
social responsibility strategy, which involves uplifting rural
education. It's mother company, Cairn India has partnered a
non-governmental organization 'Room to Read' with the broader
perspective of developing cognitive education of rural children.
The opening of the four libraries at Thambana Primary School,
Maduruketiya School, Okkampitiya Janapada Primary School and Lunugala
Yodhawewa Primary School were attended by Secretary to the President,
Lalith Weeratunga and Uva Province Chief Minister Sashindra Rajapaksa
who were chief guests at the ceremony. Cairn India's Strategy and
Business Services Director P Elango and Cairn Lanka Country Manager Dr
Sunil Bharti were also present at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony chief guest Lalith Weeratunga said that the
investment made by Cairn Lanka was significant especially considering
the involvement of a private sector corporate, in terms of the interest
they have shown in the development of Sri Lanka's rural education. He
also said that future plans are already underfoot for the government to
establish over 1,500 libraries in rural schools islandwide to improve
learning of the less privileged.
The Secretary stressed the importance of private sector involvement
in such projects and said that the country's private sector should come
together in nurturing a well-educated future generation that could
propel Sri Lanka towards further development.
Addressing the gathering, Strategy and Business Services Director P
Elango said that Cairn Lanka as the single operator in the country for
exploration of oil and gas, was extremely happy to be part of the
library programme which will add value to the education of these schools
in Moneragala. He said "I hope the students will get the best use of
these libraries. Cairn's Corporate Social Responsibility programmes have
always been committed towards respect, relationships and responsibility
and education has been a key aspect."
The Director also said that Cairn is honoured to tie up with the
government in this development programme to enhance education in rural
schools. In the next phases of the programme the company has committed
to fund another 20 libraries in schools within the Moneragala District. |