Seylan Bank marks key milestone in enhancing students’ education

• 250th Seylan Pahasara Library signifies persistent progress in an 11-year journey

Seylan Bank recently unveiled its 250th Seylan ‘Pahasara Library’ at St. Anthony’s Tamil Maha Vidyalam in Colombo 14, marking a significant milestone in its mission to enhance literacy and education across Sri Lanka.

Since its inception over 11 years ago, the initiative has been a powerful catalyst for change, transforming the lives of countless Sri Lankan students and fostering community development and sustainable growth. 

Launched in 2013, the Seylan Pahasara Library project was conceived to address the educational needs of schools that are most in need due to the lack of access to resources and assistance. The initiative was introduced in conjunction with the bank’s 25th anniversary and supports schools with low resources across the country, reflecting a broader vision of contributing to the nation’s future through education. 

Seylan Bank Director/CEO Ramesh Jayasekara said, “The Seylan Pahasara Library project has emerged as a bridge of hope, extending beyond numbers and providing books. The impact has been profound, reaching over 330,000 children across Sri Lanka, benefiting from the programme. The project’s reach spans all nine provinces of Sri Lanka including both the urban and rural areas. The wide distribution ensures that students across the country have access to these valuable resources.”

Focusing on the specific needs of each school, the Seylan Pahasara Libraries are enriched with computers and multimedia projectors. 

The carefully curated book selection aligns with the school curriculum but also covers a wide range of topics including sports, aesthetics, leadership, personal growth and creativity, broadening their horizons.

One of the project’s key strengths lies in its inclusive approach. The project’s reach extends to 15 boys-only schools, 40 girls-only schools and 195 mixed schools, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive education. 
The Seylan Pahasara Libraries reach students from diverse backgrounds, enabling equal access to valuable resources irrespective of language, religion or gender. The initiative supports level five schools across all districts, ensuring that no deserving school is left behind, regardless of its location or prestige. The inclusivity of the initiative has been a cornerstone of its success, helping to level the playing field for students from all walks of life.