John Keells Foundation bids farewell to Mullaitivu

28 Aug, 2020

John Keells Foundation (JKF) recently completed its 7-year development programme in Iranaipalai and Puthumathalan in the Mullaitivu District, The programme which was undertaken under JKF’s Village Adoption Project was initiated in 2013, shortly after resettlement of the villages was completed after the civil conflict. On 28th August 2020, JKF together with its main implementing partner, World Vision Lanka (WVL), visited the two villages to officially vest the newly constructed anicut in the public and to bid farewell to the village communities.

The Navaladiveli Sixway Anicut in Iranaipalai, which was funded by JKF and implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Development, Mullaitivu and WVL, is expected to irrigate over 375 acres of paddy land and benefit over 100 farmers and their families in Iranaipalai and adjoining villages.

The vesting ceremony was graced by Mr. K. Vimalanathan, District Secretary/Government Agent, Mullaitivu, Mr. S. Jeyakanth, Divisional Secretary – Puthukkudiyuruppu, Lieutenant Colonel Lalantha Gamlath, representative from the Army Camp and other officials. Mr. Suresh Rajendra, President, Property Group, John Keells Holdings, Ms. Nadija Tambiah, Head of Legal, Secretarial and CSR, Ms. Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, John Keells Foundation and Mr. K. Kokilan, Head of Sales, Cluster 4, Union Assurance led the John Keells delegation while WVL representation was led by Mr. Dhanan Senathirajah, National Director and Mr. Clarence Sutharsan, Director, Marketing & Engagement.

The John Keells team also took this opportunity to visit beneficiaries of some of its other key development initiatives, including the Principals, teachers and students of the two schools Mu/Iranaipalai R.C.M.V and Mu/Mathalan R.C.G.T, women engaged in livestock farming, youth and fishermen from the two villages during this visit, all of whom accorded a warm welcome and expressed their sincere appreciation for the support provided by JKF in developing skills, opportunities, livelihoods and living standards of the village communities.