Ken’s “They Call Him Ken” book proceeds given to charity
View(s):Former Chairman of John Keells Holdings Ken Balendra who saw the release of his biography – They Call Him Ken – in September this year, presented the proceeds of the books sold thus far to the designated charity, Friends of Prisoners’ Children (FPC) Trust.
A total of Rs. 536,000 was presented to the Chairperson of FPC Sr. Dhammi Fernando, collated from the proceeds of the sale of books and generous donations towards the cause resulting from reading the book from friends and relatives, including Past President of Rotary International K.R. Ravindran and Chairman of Renuka Hotels Ravi Thambiayah, the FRC said in a media release.
The FPC Trust founded in 2006 by Sr. Immaculate De Alwis primarily presents scholarships to children of prisoners who are incarcerated for long terms at the Welikada prison, to continue their education. Totally operated on donations received by well-wishers, the Trust disburses Rs. 18,000 annually to the high achieving scholars sustaining these scholarships until their A/Levels via a savings book monitored by the school principal. These scholarships not only help sustain the education of prisoners’ children who are most often ostracised by family, relatives and their community, which almost feels like a prison term for them as well, but also significantly reduces the drop-out rate from school.
Ken Balendra presents a cheque for Rs. 536,000 being the proceeds of the sale of his biography – They Call Him Ken to the Chairperson of Friends of Prisoners’ Trust Sr. Dhammi Fernando. In the photograph from left are: FPC Trustee Shiromal Cooray, Sr. Dinesha from FPC, author Savithri Rodrigo, Ken’s wife Swyrie Balendra and the distributor of the book - Vijitha Yapa