Education has always been at the heart of Gangasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya in Gampola, which was established in the 1930s. The school has shaped generations of young minds and today it provides education to more than 1,400 students, across 38 classes, from Grades 1 to 11.
However, when Cyclone Ditwah swept through the central region of Sri Lanka, the school was left grappling with extensive damage in its aftermath. Among the hardest hit facilities was the school library, where floodwaters destroyed all the books, furniture, electrical fittings, and learning resources, depriving the students of a treasured space that had stimulated curiosity and creative development, fostering a love for reading.
Recognising the importance of restoring access to quality learning environments, Aitken Spence Travels, through its sustainability platform ‘Pure Path’ and the Nurturing Lilies programme, undertook the complete refurbishment of the school library. The restoration included repairing the flood damaged structures, replacing electrical wiring, installing lighting and ceiling fans, repainting the interior, and restocking the library with a collection of new books and educational materials.
Adding a personal touch to the initiative, employees of Aitken Spence Travels contributed books from their own collections, reflecting the company’s culture of giving and sharing to the development of young learners. Their personal generosity helped transform the library into a vibrant, welcoming space where students can once again discover the joy of reading, broaden their knowledge, and pursue their ambitions and aspirations.
The fully restored library was officially handed over to the school during a special ceremony attended by Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels, together with members of the company’s sustainability team, the school Principal, teachers, students and representatives of the local community. The occasion celebrated not only the successful completion of the project but also the reopening of a vital learning hub that will continue to inspire and support future generations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Principal of Gangasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya Mr. R. M. M. Wasantha Kumara expressed his gratitude for the initiative, stating, “the restoration of our school library is about so much more than rebuilding a physical space, it is about restoring hope, opportunity and a love for learning among our students. Our children lost one of their most treasured learning resources. Today, thanks to the generosity of Aitken Spence Travels, our students once again have a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment where they can read, learn and broaden their knowledge. On behalf of our students, parents, teachers, and the entire school community, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Aitken Spence Travels for their kindness, compassion and support. This investment will leave a lasting legacy for generations of children and will stand as a shining example of how the private sector can play a meaningful role in uplifting communities, creating opportunities for schools such as ours”
Further, Mr. Jayasundera stated “Education is one of the most powerful investments we can make in the future, and a library is every child’s dedicated environment that inspires learning, curiosity and growth. We are honoured to support the restoration of the Gangasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya Library and hope this renewed space will empower these young students to dream bigger, read more widely, and build brighter futures.”
At Aitken Spence Travels, sustainability goes beyond environmental stewardship. It is all about creating meaningful, long-term value for the communities in which we operate. Through ‘Pure Path’, the company continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen education, livelihoods and community resilience. The restoration of the Gangasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya library is a reflection of this commitment, ensuring that students have access to a safe, inspiring and resource-rich environment where learning can flourish for years to come.
At Aitken Spence Travels, sustainability is about creating lasting value for the communities that we serve. Restoring the Gangasiripura Kanishta Vidyalaya Library reflects our belief that investing in education is an investment in the future. By helping students regain access to a safe and inspiring place to learn, we are proud to play a small part in rebuilding not only a library, but also the opportunities, aspirations, and hopes that it represents for generations to come.
