Arpico initiates essential school supplies project in WeliOya, Mullaitivu

Arpico Local Manufacturing and Distribution sector recently embarked on an ongoing initiative to distribute essential learning material to schools in rural areas. The first project was launched in WeliOya, in Maheweli Zone L, with over 350 students receiving school accessories.

The project was initiated by the Local Manufacturing and Distribution (LMD) Sector of the Richard Pieris Group. With the simple aim of lending a helping hand to those in need, resources were collected with the aid of a substantial company donation and volunteer contributions from employees in the LMD sector. 

Three schools in the WeliOya area were beneficiaries of the project. Situated in the Mullaitivu district of the Northern Province, the residents of the WeliOya region were severely affected by Sri Lanka’s civil war and a mass government relocation effort in the ‘80s. Today these residents of WeliOya are making a renewed, but halted effort to survive amidst many difficulties.

“The WeliOya region was identified as an area in need by our employees,” noted Managing Director Sunil Liyanage. “When we learnt about the harsh living conditions of the Northern Province coupled with the obvious difficulties these students face financially, we had to do something about it.”

The schools that received the donations were WeliOya/Mullaitivu Paranagama College, WeliOya/Mullaitivu Kalyanipura College and the WeliOya/Mullaitivu KiriIbbanwewa College. Items such as pencils, pens, exercise books, school bags, erasers, scissors, clay, colour pencils, binding glue, lunch boxes, water bottles, instrument boxes, foot rulers and art books were distributed amongst 381 children from Grades 1 to 11. Furthermore schools received sports goods such as cricket equipment, netballs, and volleyballs.

More projects are in the pipeline, especially for the WeliOya region. Children in one school will soon receive tailored uniforms, and access to a total water solution provided by Arpico-consisting of a water tank, pumps, and required PVC pipes and fittings. “This is an initiative that we definitely plan to continue with,” noted Senior Business Development Manager Gayan Wickramaarachchi. “Our team members are very keen to ensure that this is not a one-off effort, and plan on replicating the same project in other areas like this as well.”