Education Ministry recognises LOLC Divi Saviya “Obai Mamai Ape Ratai” for restoring 200 schools under 45 days

LOLC Holdings Group Managing Director/CEO Kapila Jayawardena (right) presenting the   comprehensive project update of LOLC Divi Saviya to Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

LOLC Holdings PLC solidified its role as a national partner in recovery and resilience by presenting the progress of its flagship humanitarian initiative, Divi Saviya, at a national-level recognition ceremony convened by the Education Ministry. 

This milestone follows the successful completion of Phase 02 of ‘Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai’, reflecting the initiative’s meaningful contribution. 

The special appreciation ceremony for LOLC Divi Saviya was held at the Education Ministry, Battaramulla, on 27 February 2026, marking the Ministry’s second official recognition of the initiative since its inception. 

During the event, the LOLC Holdings PLC Group Managing Director/CEO Kapila Jayawardena, presented a comprehensive project update to the Prime Minister and Education  Minister  Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The update highlighted the rapid progress of the island wide school restoration initiative, which saw 200 schools restored and handed over within just 45 days, enabling the swift resumption of education in communities impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.

Over the past decade, LOLC Divi Saviya has evolved into one of Sri Lanka’s leading corporate-led humanitarian initiatives, responding to major national crises, from the pandemic and economic downturn to recent natural disasters.  

The first chapter of LOLC Divi Saviya, ‘Jeewithaya Dinannata’, launched in early 2021 with an investment of Rs. 500 million, provided vital support to 125,000 families by delivering essential provisions within 100 days during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The next chapter, ‘Daye Daruwange Anagathaya Wenuwen’, was launched with an investment of Rs. 2.5 billion, to ensure the continuity of education during the country’s most severe economic crisis. The program reached 40% of Sri Lankan school population, supporting 296,000 children across 4,090 schools. At a time of unprecedented student drop-outs and rural school closures, the initiative provided essential school supplies and stationery through a structured, nationwide distribution program. This large-scale effort established a foundation of trust, reach, and execution excellence, enabling the rapid mobilisation and success of the subsequent stage. 

The third chapter, ‘Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai’, was initiated following a needs assessment that identified 4,000 displaced families and 200 schools with damaged infrastructure in regions affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Verified by all government and official authorities and implemented under the LOLC Divi Saviya initiative, in collaboration with Divisional Secretariats, Disaster Management Centres (DMCs), and MTV Channels Ltd., the initiative is structured to ensure aid reaches those who need it most.

With a total investment of over Rs. 500 million, the program has successfully delivered  comprehensive support to affected communities through Family Super Pack distributions and the renovation of schools under phase 1 and 2. The upcoming stage will focus on complete rebuilding of selected schools that were entirely destroyed by the disaster. 

Phase 01 delivered immediate relief with essential food and non-food packs across six districts and 69 divisional secretariats, while Phase 02 focused on long-term recovery, restoring 200 schools within 45 days to allow thousands of students to safely resume learning.

Jayawardena said: “It was a great privilege to share the outcomes of our 200-school restoration drive with the Prime Minister, demonstrating how LOLC Divi Saviya continues to support communities recover and rebuild. This program has also resonated strongly with the public, showing how the private sector can complement government efforts during times of national challenge. This recognition also marks the second time the Ministry of Education has formally acknowledged Divi Saviya, following the 2025 award for Chapter Two, ‘Daya Daruwange Anagathaya Wenuwen’, which reached 40% of schools and directly supported thousands of students. Under phase three of this chapter, we have allocated budgets and plans to build and furnish a few selected schools from ground-up that were entirely destroyed by the disaster.”