ComBank donates IT lab to Welikada prison
The latest beneficiaries of Commercial Bank's flagship CSR initiative
to enhance IT education in Sri Lanka, are the inmates of the Welikada
prison.
The Bank donated computers, UPS units, speakers and computer tables
and chairs to the prison on a request made by its Superintendent, Gamini
Jayasinghe.
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Chandrasiri Gajadheera, Minister of
Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms (left) and P.W Kodippily,
Commissioner General of Prisons, open the IT lab |
Arrangements have been made for computer classes to be conducted
between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, six days a week, by a prison welfare officer
who is experienced in conducting IT training programmes, the Bank said.
The new IT lab was ceremonially inaugurated by Chandrasiri Gajadeera,
Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms.
Hasrath Munasinghe, Deputy General Manager - Marketing at Commercial
Bank said: "When awarding this donation, the Bank was mindful of the
fact that prisoners are humans too. Inmates who undergo this training
would have a better chance to find a livelihood after they serve their
terms."
Persons selected for IT course conducted at the prison would be under
the age of 35, have completed their education up to the GCE Ordinary
Level and be serving a term of less than five years.
Currently, a group of 10 inmates are following the course and the
prison aims to train 100 inmates in the next six months, a spokesman
said.
He also disclosed that requests have been made to national training
authorities to get qualified trainers to conduct the IT courses as well
as to issue certificates to those who complete the courses successfully.
The Commercial Bank's CSR Trust was established in 2004 and presently
focuses mainly on projects aimed at uplifting standards of IT and
English education.
The Trust commenced with a start up capital of Rs. 25 million and the
Bank contributes up to 1% of its profits every year.
To date the Bank has donated more than 50 IT labs to schools and
other institutions.
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