Browns fuels Young Minds in Matale District

Brown and Company PLC in keeping with its CSR pillar of taking IT education to the rural sector completed its first IT project at Kalalpitiya Vidyalaya, Ukuwela in collaboration with the Zonal Education Office of the Central Province – Matale.

The Browns Group has identified the pillar of education and facilitation of new technology to support the broader community its works with. At Brown and Company, CSR means building a sustainable Business that reflects the values they hold important. This includes a commitment to meet their obligations and support the broader community they live and work in.

Speaking at the opening of its first IT centre under its pillar of CSR, Group Managing Director/CEO of Brown and Company, Murali Prakash stated. “We are happy to have established this IT center for Kalalpitiya Vidyalaya which is a school that has gradually developed over the past 10 years through the dedication of the principle, staff, students and parents. It is apparent that IT education needs to be taken to all students including those in our villages so that each child will be empowered to face the future challenges of a global village. We at Browns are pleased to have supported this effort through the establishment of this IT centre. I would like to thank the principle, staff and the Zonal Education Officials for identifying and establishing this project together with the Browns Group.”

Also speaking at the event the Principle of MT/Kalalpitiya Vidyalaya, W. G. Ramyawathi stated, “This is a long standing dream come true, as most of our children have very little chance if at all to have computer facility.  It is with great gratitude that I accept this IT center provided to us by Brown and Company and on behalf of the Students, teachers and parents of this school I would like to thank you and the Zonal Education office for making this a reality.”

This school commenced operation in 1962, with the most basic of structures and is now 140 student strong establishment with a teacher to student ratio of 1:11.  A mixed gender school classes range from year 1 up to Ordinary Level Examinations.

Also speaking at the event the Director – Zonal Education Office of the Central Province Council, Y.M.M.S Yapa stated, “It was our ambition to ensure that every school in our District be equipped with at least one computer to ensure that every student received not only a sound education in IT but also receives practical computer knowledge. I am very happy to state that today with the help of Brown and Company that ambition has been fulfilled. I take this opportunity to thank the Management of Browns for their immense contribution towards making our endeavour a success.”

Speaking on the future of such projects Senior Vice President, Brands, Corporate Affairs, Home and Office Solutions, Suresh Tissaaratchy said, “Brown and Company PLC will continue to identify schools especially in high poverty districts where facilities are limited to support them with IT education. We have at present identified a few schools in some of these districts.”

Browns is committed to investing in under-developed and under-served areas around the country, not only through CSR but also by expanding its operations into rural areas through their regional centres and wide network of dealers. Currently the company has regional centres in Ampara, Dambulla, Kurunagala, Batticoloa and Jaffna and will expand to Ambalantota and Mannar. Browns also have over 1500 dealers island-wide. Their expansions have contributed to creating employment and growing the rural economy.

With over 136 years of experience delivering value to a large customer base, the Browns Group’s greatest achievement lies in the fact that we have served over three generations of Sri Lankans’ across the country offering our products and services wherever a need has been identified. It’s a heritage of trust.