New school bags for year one students of Sri Dharmarama Maha Vidyalaya, Ratmalana from Hettigoda Gro

All year one students at Sri Dharmarama Maha Vidyalaya, Ratmalana, who began a new chapter in their young lives – the initial lap of the long journey of education – received new school bags with the compliments of Siddhalepa. As patrons of the school in their neighbourhood, the country’s leading ayurveda pharmaceutical manufacturer was part of a group of establishments who provided the year one school children with all the school requirements for their initial year in school.

About 35 new children were present at the school premises on 15 January to receive this complete package which included everything a school beginner needs.  

The 140 year old Sri Dharmarama Maha Vidyalaya had experienced a gradual deterioration and decline in popularity as a leading school in the city during the past decade. The school is comprised of three 3-storied buildings as classrooms, two halls, a science laboratory and a computer room but had lost its past glory as a leading educational institution as newer schools in the vicinity overtook Sri Dharmarama Maha Vidyalaya in popularity, facilities and size.  

The school, which once accommodated more than 1500 students, has dwindled to a cadre of less than 100 in recent times. It is under the tenure of the present principal of the school, P.K. Marambage that, with the support of the Old Students Association, the school is being revived to its past glory as an educational institution in the city of Ratmalana.  

The Hettigoda Group has been working consistently on several projects to promote children’s talent and educate them on the importance of preserving the environment. 

Among the national level programs undertaken by the Hettigoda Group for children is the popular Kekulu Art Competition where preschool children are provided a platform to express their natural talents through this all island art competition.

The Herbal Garden Project is another project aimed at educating the younger generation on the necessity of protecting our environment and the value of our indigenous herbs in the ayurveda medical industry. 

Children’s welfare and education is a priority in the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and the company also manufactures a series of herbal dental care for children and baby care products.

Siddhalepa Group also led a project to assist a Tsunami affected school in the south to relocate and rebuild. With assistance from tourism partners, Annula Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Magalle, Galle was relocated in Walahanduwa, Galle and renamed Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya at a total project cost of Rs. 110 million.