From left: International Union for Conservation of Nature Sri Lanka Country Representative Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Chief Executive Officer Patrick Gallagher, Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya (Inc) General Secretary Dr. Vinya S. Ariyaratne and The School Relief Initiative Co–Founder Mark Bucknall

HSBC Sri Lanka is partnering with Sarvodaya-Fusion, The Schools Relief Initiative (SRI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to further its community support towards education and the environment. 
To mark its 150th anniversary, HSBC is making an additional global fund of US $ 150 million over three years (2015-2017) available to local charities around the world. In Sri Lanka, Sarvodaya-Fusion, SRI and IUCN will receive a grant from this fund to deliver and implement their respective programmes.

Sarvodaya-Fusion
HSBC’s joint partnership with Sarvodaya-Fusion will aim to enhance the information technology, communication and English language skills of over 1500 youths aged 16 to 18 years throughout the country, with a diploma course in Computer Application (DICA) and subsequent certificate courses in English language. On completion students will have the option to follow the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) course, Linux Essentials or to complete an entrepreneurship programme. This project will be undertaken through a series of educational programmes conducted by Fusion – education in association with Microsoft and CISCO.

School Relief Initiative 
HSBC will partner with The Schools Relief Initiative (SRI) to provide 120 students in the Hambantota District with monthly payments to fund their education. In total 45 students aged eight to 11 years, 50 students aged 12 to 13 years and 90 undergraduates will stand to receive scholarships to fund their education for the next four years.

International Union for Conservation of Nature 
HSBC’s partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will develop a visitor management plan with interpretation materials (descriptive guides, tour guides and nature trails, posters and brochures) targeting local visitors, international visitors and other stakeholders of the three components of the World Heritage serial property Central Highlands in Sri Lanka namely Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) and Peak Wilderness Protected Area and Knuckles Conservation Forest.

HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Patrick Gallagher said, “How we do business is as important as what we do. Every year, thousands of HSBC employees around the world give their time and skills to local projects. We are delighted to build on this long-standing commitment by partnering with Sarvodaya-Fusion, The Schools Relief Initiative and the International Union for Conservation of Nature who share a common vision to promote youth education through IT and English language skills as well as protect the environment through conservation programmes that benefit society at large.’’