Rs 3.5m restoration of Tissapura Junior School, Weerawila by H'tota Int'l Port Group

The Tissapura Junior School situated in Andalla, Weerawila, received a facelift, with the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) officially handing over a new 2- storey building along with completely restored outer buildings for the use of 300 students and a teaching staff of 24.

At the handing-over ceremony, Chief Guest, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, said it was encouraging to see Chinese companies not only involved in major developments in Sri Lanka, but also engaging with connected communities.

“The friendship between Sri Lanka and China has stood the test of time, and this school built by HIPG, with the aid of China Merchant Group (CMG), is proof of that friendship."

The school, which is about 30 years old, had previously been in a dilapidated state and, following an appeal from its principal to HIPG, work began with an initial grant of US$ 200,000 by China Merchants Charitable Foundation (CMCF), CMG's primary CSR arm, and HIPG’s main partner. Whilst the complete restoration of the Tissapura Junior School is one of many CSR activities initiated by the HIPG, it was a community service project HIPG undertook during the first phase of their port operations.

The new 2- story building is equipped with all modern amenities to support learning. A complete overhaul of the old buildings included the installation of drinking water tanks with filtered water pipes, 8 new classrooms, staff rooms, a science laboratory, library, playground and a new roof.

HIPG CEO Ray Ren, speaking at the ceremony, said the Company was committed towards uplifting adjacent communities and the reason they selected the school as their first project was to provide better opportunities for young people in the Hambantota district. “This is a very important and memorable project for us. Both HIPG and HIPS are Sri Lankan companies, which is why, developing our local communities is important to us. When Principal Weerakeerthi approached us for support, we were glad to work with him, because we believe education is a very important part of a country’s development.

"Southern Province Education Ministry Secretary Y. Wickramasiri readily approved and his help was invaluable in making this project a success, in fact we hope he will work towards gaining ‘high school’ status for the school in the coming year. Apart from that we have a number of other projects lined up that will improve the quality of life in Hambantota.

Principal A.H. Weerakeerthi expressed his thanks to all HIPG officials, not only for the grant to build the school, but also their support and willingness to help in all relevant matters throughout the construction. “HIPG had pledged Rs. 3.5 million for the restoration and the provision of a new two- storey building.