Etisalat Lanka’s initiative to provide opportunities for our children to ‘access today’s world through education’, is now at its 3’rd and 4^th phase, as it sets the pace to take knowledge where it is needed most. With a vision of enabling our children to access knowledge, Etisalat has selected some of the most deserving and deprived schools to set up an Etisalat Knowledge Centre; a well versed reading library. Most of the reading materials available are relevant to the student’s everyday academic lessons, thereby aiding them with the proper required knowledge to be well informed in these respective areas.

Having already opened such knowledge centers in Awissawella and Padukka, the 3^rdand 4^th such centers were recently opened at Mahagoda Kanishta Vidyalaya, Mahagoda and Dombagoda Maha Vidyalaya, Ahangama (Galle). Both schools have an average student population of 330. The Mahagoda Kanishta Vidyalaya conducts classes up to the O/L’s while the Mahagoda Kanishta Vidyalaya goes all the way up to A/L’s. Both schools have shown remarkable academic achievements with good O/L results and Grade 5 scholarships.

The project saw to the renovation of the library building in both schools, with a donation of 1500 books, maps and other reading material, in addition to the steel book shelves to store the books properly as a library. The libraries were further furnished with tables and chairs to enable comfortable reading and learning. Notably, the books were carefully picked to benefit all the school students, enabling all grades to improve their knowledge. Etisalat further kept in mind the teachers, who are the key point of a well educated younger generation. Thus, the library further contains literature of value to teachers. Remarkably, it has been noted that many parents also find solace in these libraries as a source of knowledge. Also, in a step towards exposing rural children to the wonder of modern learning, the centers have been equipped with an overhead projector, television and a VCD player for the library and supplemented with some educational CDs.

The School Principles expressed their gratitude for the resources and the opportunity, saying that the students are talented and keen to learn. They embraced this gesture with open arms, thanking Etisalat for enriching Sri Lanka’s future generations with the gift of knowledge. Meanwhile, Etisalat CEO/Director Dumindra Ratnayaka said, “As a company that recognizes that knowledge is the foundation of tomorrow’s generation and future professionals, Etisalat takes pride in providing such opportunities through the Knowledge Centre.”