We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the latest project at Galle Neth Savan Sarana School, made possible through the generous support of our long‑standing donors, Romie and Ranil.
The school received SLR 100,000.00, which has been thoughtfully and effectively utilised to improve essential facilities for the children. With these funds, the school was able to:
Purchase 24 new chairs for students
Complete the painting of doors and frames
Install ceiling coverage in the children’s dining area, creating a safer and more comfortable space
These enhancements have created a brighter, cleaner, and more welcoming environment for the children, significantly improving their daily comfort and overall well‑being.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Romie and Ranil for their generous donation and continued dedication to supporting educational and welfare initiatives. Your kindness has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the children at Galle Neth Savan Sarana School.
A Heartfelt Donation Supporting Flood-Affected Students of Mathale Kaikawala Koswana Sahana Special School
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Bernard and Leilani Arambepola for their generous donation of £1,400, dedicated to supporting 11 students from Mathale Kaikawala, Koswana Sahana Special School who were severely affected by the recent floods and landslides.
This kind donation enabled us to transfer Rs. 581,700.00 directly to the school, ensuring every rupee supported the children and their families during this difficult time.
Dedicated Efforts by the School Team
The relief effort was carefully coordinated by: Mrs. T. A. I. Kumari Amarasinghe – Principal Mr. Walder Wijayananda Rajapakshe – Manager
The school team worked tirelessly—buying supplies, preparing packages, and distributing them personally to each affected family. Their dedication is clearly visible through the photographs captured during this humanitarian effort.
What Each Student Received
Each of the 11 students received a support pack valued at Rs. 30,000.00, containing essential educational, personal, and daily‑use items.
School & Personal Essentials – School bag – 1, Water bottle – 1, Pairs of shoes – 2, Socks – 4 pairs, School uniforms – 3, Underwear – 5. Sportswear – Sports T‑shirt – 1, Sports bottom – 1, Jacket – 1. Stationery & Learning Materials – C.R. books – 5, Compass box – 1, Pencil case – 1, Square‑rule exercise books – 8, Single‑rule exercise books – 14, Pens – 6, Pencils – 6, Brown paper (for book covers) – 24 sheets. Additional Items – Umbrella – 1
Food Supplies Purchased for the Families
With the remaining funds, the school team also purchased nutritious food items to ensure the affected children and their families received proper support during recovery. These included:
– Cheese, Sustagen milk powder – 2, Butter, Eggs, Green gram, Cowpea, Chickpeas, Fruits, Meat, Fish
These food packages provided vital nourishment and relief to families who lost their belongings and livelihoods to the floods and landslides.
A Meaningful Impact
One child received items worth Rs. 52,881.00 due to additional necessities, ensuring no student was left without needed support.
The generosity of Drs. Bernard and Leilani Arambepola have brought hope, stability, and comfort to 11 children and their families during an incredibly challenging time. Their compassion serves as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we stand together.
On behalf of the students, their families, and the entire school community, we express our deepest thanks for this life‑changing support. All parents and staff were truly happy, grateful, and touched by the kindness extended to them.
When I called principal of the school, she said – As these large, carefully prepared parcels were handed out, the parents were overwhelmed with joy. Many were moved to tears, expressing their deepest gratitude to the generous donors whose kindness brought such comfort and hope to their families. Their heartfelt thanks echoed with sincerity, knowing that these precious packs meant so much to both their children and themselves. – LIONEL BANDARA
Date: January 7, 2026 Report Prepared By:Kaleel Gafoor, President – RHCC
1. Acknowledgement & Summary
Riders Hub Cycling Club (RHCC) extends its heartfelt gratitude to all donors whose swift and generous contributions supported our Ditwa Cyclone Flood Relief Initiative in the Eastern Province.
Thanks to your kindness, we successfully provided essential educational supplies to 250 students whose school materials were destroyed during the floods. Your support enabled these children to return to their studies with confidence and dignity.
2. Donors & Contributions
We gratefully acknowledge the following organisations for their invaluable support:
DABAL (UK)
Manipay Parish Sports Club (UK)
Riders for Charity
IMHO UK
Total Funds Received:£1,000.00 Equivalent to:LKR 418,000.00
3. Purpose & Coordination
The funds were allocated to purchase and distribute school bags and exercise books for students identified as most affected by the floods.
RHCC coordinated closely with the Zonal Director of Education (ZDE) Office – Muthur, which provided the official list of impacted students across the East Coast region, ensuring that aid reached the most vulnerable children.
4. Distribution Details
Following recommendations from the ZDE Office, the distribution took place on January 3rd, 2026, covering four schools:
Items Distributed
250 School Bags
1,000 Exercise Books (160 pages each)
Each student received: ✔ 1 School Bag ✔ 4 Exercise Books
Beneficiary Schools & Allocation
School
Location
Student Packs
Thiruvalluvar Maha Vidyalaya
Poonagar
50
Kalaimagal Hindu College
Pallikudiyiruppu
50
Al Hithaya Maha Vidyalaya
Muthur
50
Jaya Vidyalaya
Muthur
100
Total Beneficiaries
250 Students
5. Financial Accountability
Below is the breakdown of expenses:
Item
Quantity
Unit Cost (LKR)
Total Cost (LKR)
School Bags
250
1,650.00
412,500.00
160-Page Exercise Books
1,000
103.00*
103,000.00
Subtotal (Project Goods)
515,500.00
Total Donations Received
418,000.00
Balance Covered by RHCC
97,500.00
* Presented as total lot price excluding logistics and administrative costs.
RHCC also absorbed all logistics and distribution costs, ensuring that 100% of donor funds were used exclusively for relief materials.
6. Closing Appreciation
Your timely generosity has directly impacted 250 children, helping them return to school after a devastating natural disaster.
On behalf of RHCC and all beneficiaries, thank you for standing with these families in their time of need and for supporting our mission to uplift communities through compassion and action.
With sincere appreciation, Kaleel Gafoor President, Riders Hub Cycling Club (RHCC)
DABAL Begins Construction of the First Floor at Neth Savan Sarana School – Panchaliya, Galle
Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka (DABAL) is honoured to announce the commencement of a major development project at Neth Savan Sarana School in Panchaliya, Galle—the construction of the school’s first floor, a vital expansion that will uplift the learning environment for children with hearing and visual impairments. A Project Built on Transparency, Care, and Collaboration Over recent months, our team has worked diligently to ensure this project is grounded in integrity and proper governance. We have: • Obtained multiple quotations from qualified contractors • Followed recommendations and pricing guidelines provided by the Sri Lankan government • Consulted with local representatives and community leaders • Received approval and guidance from the school’s board and management This careful process reflects DABAL’s commitment to responsible stewardship and long‑term sustainability in every project we undertake. Why This Expansion Matters Neth Savan Sarana School plays a crucial role in supporting children with disabilities in the Galle District. The new first floor will: • Provide additional classroom space • Improve accessibility and comfort • Support the school’s growing student population • Strengthen the educational foundation for some of the most vulnerable children in the region This is more than a construction project—it is an investment in dignity, opportunity, and the future of every child who learns here. A Heartfelt Thank You to Our UK Members and Donors We extend our deepest gratitude to our UK members and our frequent donors. Because of your generosity, dedication, and trust, we are able to support projects like this. Every penny you give goes directly to the end user. Your kindness travels across oceans and transforms lives in Sri Lanka. This project stands as a testament to your compassion. Moving Forward With all approvals and preparations complete, DABAL is now officially beginning construction. We will continue to work closely with local authorities, school leadership, and community partners to ensure smooth progress. Regular updates, photos, and reports will be shared as the project advances, keeping our supporters fully informed and connected to the impact they are making. We will share photos and updates once the construction of the first floor is completed, so our supporters can see the impact of their generosity come to life.
🌼 A Heartfelt Donation to Kandy Senkadagala Special School — In Loving Memory
We are honoured to share the wonderful news of a deeply meaningful donation made by Ms. Amanda Giles to the Kandy Senkadagala Special School.
This generous contribution has been made to commemorate 80 years since the marriage of Amanda’s beloved parents, who were married at Scots Kirk, Kandy, on 6th October 1945. Their wedding reception took place at the iconic Queens Hotel, followed by a honeymoon spent in the cool and scenic hills of Nuwara Eliya — memories cherished across generations.
Amanda has been a long‑standing and dedicated donor, with a special place in her heart for the children of Kandy. Her continued support has made a real difference to the lives of students at the Senkadagala Special School, and her kindness is felt each year through her quiet but impactful generosity.
On behalf of DABAL, we extend our deepest gratitude to Amanda. We offer our prayers and blessings for this noble cause, and in remembrance of her dear parents whose love story continues to inspire compassion even eight decades later.
May this act of giving bring comfort, joy, and blessings to all who are touched by it. 🌼
Since Shehan Pinidiya and I are in Sri Lanka, we managed to visit and have a meeting where we discussed useful information that we can utilise for our fourth round of a similar project within the same budget, which can be beneficial.
During our meeting, Hon. De Silva ( Hon de Silva is the first parliament member in the Sri Lanka history who selected to the current parliament on behalf of blind and Deaf people same like our Lord Colin Low) and the president Ms. Pathirage proposed the idea of ‘Smart Classrooms’ for children with hearing impairments, which we believe could greatly enhance their learning experience.
Additionally, we discussed the possibility of identifying objectives for blind children and understanding the current situation in the UK in similar schools.
As a trial, we can plan to implement smart classrooms in two schools with a higher number of blind children. If successful, this initiative could be expanded to other schools, benefiting not only hearing impaired children but also visually impaired children.
They need just a big screen and some other hardware devices with some cables. They agreed to provide more information to us, and we can discuss all in details in our next committee meeting before proceeding.
In a different note I am planning to travel on the 12th of December to Mathale to make sure if that new school is under our criteria to receive funds.
Lionel Bandara Chairman – Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka
