Picture shows the Principal of D.S. Senanayake College Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage lighting the oil lamp. From left: Mrs. Chandra Rajapaksa, wife of Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Palitha Galappathy Ex. Mayor of Tangalle, Director of Zonal Education Hambantota and the Principal of Kuda Gampaha School.

D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo has created a precedent in the education environment by stretching their hands to help a needy school in the Kuda Gampaha village in Thissamaharama, constructing a building for the primary section of the school.

The children of Kuda Gampaha primary section who were studying under thatched roofing since its inception has seen the light of day on June 25 2009, with the reopening of the new building by Mrs. Chandra Rajapaksa wife of Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa Minister of Ports, Aviation and irrigation. The building which was constructed at a cost of Rs.2.2 million was funded by the School Development Society and the Old Boys' Association of D.S. Senanayake College.

Kuda Gampaha is a small village in the jungle, a distance of 14 km from Tissamaharama town where the peasants live on paddy cultivation and chena cultivation, on water received from the Lunugam Vehera reservoir. The children had to face immense difficulties without proper classrooms and on rainy days the classrooms get wet making it difficult for studies. The Principal and the parents had made many requests to the Education Authorities in the district, but the Authorities were unable to allocate funds for the construction of a building.

On hearing news of the condition of this school the Principal of D.S. Senanayake College. Dr. Asoka Senanai Hewage set forth his plan to help the construction of a building for Kuda Gampaha primary school. Dr. Hewage was instrumental in carrying out the construction work on this building with the funds donated by the School Development Society and the Old Boys' Association. The villagers participated in providing labour for the construction work. There was no objection from the parents nor from other associations in the school for allocating funds to help the needy school says Dr. A.S. Hewage.

The villagers and parents of the children gave a warm welcome to the Chief Guest Mrs. Chandra Rajapaksa, the Principal of D.S. Senanayake College Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage, and others who were present at the ceremony. Many parents commented that it was a noble task undertaken by Dr. A.S. Hewage, whose initiative has been positively responded by the parents and other associations at D.S. Senanayake College. They went on to say that "blessings would be bestowed on all those who contributed, assisted and helped us to give our children a building to study."

It is a rare opportunity to comment that one state school helps another to construct a building, whereas it is the duty of the state education authorities. The highly appreciative qualities possessed by the Principal Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage and the parents should be taken as an example by other rich schools in Colombo and other areas, to help remote schools in the village, commented another parent.
The noble task undertaken by the Principal is not only applauded by the educational authorities but also has set a model for the others to follow.

The contribution received for the construction of the building is not only from the pocket of the rich man, but also from the helping hand of the poor. The motto of the school "country before self" and helping for social responsibility projects will always remain unchanged. This is what has been inculcated from the inception of the school in 1967, says the Principal.