Coca-Cola reconstructs school

Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd announced the formal opening of Mahamaya Girls School, Hikkaduwa yesterday, reconstructed completely by Coca-Cola with an investment of Rs. 50 million together with Round Table.

The opening ceremony took place at the school premises at which the Southern Province's Chief Minister and Minister of Education, Shan Wijayalal De Silva was Chief Guest.

Country Manager, Basil Gadzios, said the project was very close to their hearts, one which reflects the importance of education and youth in Coca-Cola's corporate social responsibility operations and activities.

"This is one of Coca-Cola's largest CSR projects and underpins our priority of education among all our CSR activities. We are happy to play a pivotal role in promoting socio- economic development through education and hope the infrastructure that we have put in place will help generations of students who pass through these classrooms."

The new school, built on a new site, not far from the earlier one which was destroyed completely by the Tsunami has 600 students enrolled, with classes from grades one to twelve including Advanced Level classes in arts, commerce streams.

"Coca-Cola in Sri Lanka is committed towards supporting education initiatives which makes a difference. Such initiatives not only promote socio-economic development but also help in creation of social wealth within communities - after all businesses can only thrive in sustainable communities" said Manish Chaturvedi, Coca-Cola's Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Among Coca-Cola's CSR portfolio of value added education, water sanitation and stewardship, environment and community based projects, value added education and community development have got top priority in Sri Lanka and together rank as no one among the Company's values.

In the value added arena, 'Brave World', a children's leadership programme that has benefited over 700 children was successfully carried out by Coke. Brave World comprises a series of interactive workshops to inculcate qualities such as self confidence, discipline and motivation through fun filled activities promotes leadership skills among the children.

Among the many community based projects, 'Sisu Diriya' was a schools upliftment project initiated by Coca-Cola to upgrade facilities of schools located within the vicinity of the plant in Biyagama.

Employees of Coca- Cola firmly believe that the future of their business depends on the vitality of the local communities and by conducting projects such as the new model Mahamaya Girls School, they hope to extend their reach and support to enhance the lives of Sri Lankans.