Rotary Report.indd - Rotary Sri Lanka

the whole area was festooned
with coloured banners hanging
from every conceivable spot.
Excited schoolchildren lined
the roadway to the new school
waving the fl ags of Rotary,
Standard Chartered Bank, Sri
Lanka and UK – the country of
the Sponsors.
The fi rst item on the day’s agenda
was the unveiling of a specially
commissioned monument with
a threefold dedication. The
monument is in remembrance of
those who lost their lives in the
tsunami, in celebration of those
who survived; and in gratitude to
those special people who helped
build the new school. Many
visitors were visibly moved at the
sight of the monument.
Luis Giay said, “This wonderful
project highlights the dedication
and ability of Rotary Sri Lanka
and showcases to the world what
Rotary is capable of doing. I
congratulate and commend the
Rotarians of Sri Lanka for this
great project” Giay added.
Among the overseas visitors
were District Governor Andrew
Herniman and Vvy Game the
principal of Braunton School
who represented the sponsors
– District 1170 and North Devon
Schools in the UK.
By far the loudest applause was
reserved for a 14 year old student
of the school. Imesha Udhari
de Soysa delivered the vote of
thanks in impeccable English and
her style and delivery far belied
her years. She struck a chord
in the hearts of her audience
when she said, “You have built
us a new palace in place of our
school and we thank you from
the bottom of our hearts” “We
will repay you in the only way
we can – by studying hard and
excelling in our examinations,”
said the young girl who dreams
of becoming a Doctor one day!
13 Rotary SCB Schools Trust (Gte) Ltd ‘Schools Re-awaken’ Project Annual Review