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The space in which preschools and vital Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Piyawara commenced with the intention of ensuring that every child had access to
were operating, was underdeveloped. It was a worthwhile cause and very much in education. This project has lasted 20 years through many crises and its success is
keeping with the ideals of the Hemas Group. It was the niche we were looking for, a purely due to the commitment of the strong partner network we have established.
niche into which others had come and gone, without leaving a credible or indelible mark.
Yes, Sri Lanka will go through some tough times and we will have to make some
Providing infrastructure and resources, we brought this crucial sector where little ones tough choices……..during these times we will see more hardships to families and our
are shown their very first steps into the wider world, as they venture out from their commitment to support them will not waver.
homes, under our wing.
Piyawara was and still is a very successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP), keeping Shiromi Masakorala
to the ‘best in class’ standards. The links with the authorities at all levels, central Executive Director of the Hemas Outreach Foundation
and ground, are strong, with the Hemas Group also absorbing the full load of the The Piyawara project would never have been a success
administrative costs. without the support of the Chairman and the Board of

For us, at the Hemas Group, CSR is ingrained in our very genes. Piyawara and all its Directors. If they did not buy in, no one would have.
subsequent yields such as the Hambantota Special School, AYATI – the first National The image, brand, accountability and transparency of the
Centre for Children with Disabilities and the Eka Se Salakamu campaign to promote Hemas Group played a key role as our stakeholders had
an inclusive society will be sustainable. much faith in us….a Sri Lankan company which is value
driven.
We know that those who occupy Hemas House now and the generations to come, will
ensure that these projects including Piyawara will continue. There was also no way for a project of this nature to succeed, be sustainable and grow
Of course, in any national project of this magnitude we cannot do it alone. There without it being a Public-Private Partnership. The government and its island-wide
should not be exclusivity and territorial possession in such national projects. It is network put their full weight behind Piyawara. This was while Hemas operated with
too big a national sphere and this is why the more people and more companies put minimum staff. The donors, meanwhile, had faith that a large proportion of funds
their shoulder to the wheel, more benefits will accrue to the little ones and also the would benefit the children.
stigmatized and marginalized people of Sri Lanka. Piyawara is all about relations with multiple stakeholders including the central
government, local politicians, clergy, media, army, contractors, local and foreign
Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson donors and the public, with emphasis on being culturally sensitive and respecting
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hemas Holdings PLC people’s views.

As a truly Sri Lankan company serving Sri Lankans, I do Many lessons have been learnt through Piyawara, with 1 small step in a national project
not think we can ignore society. This investment is into leading to many more steps in different directions such as AYATI, the National Centre
the future of our country. If these children did not have for Children with Disabilities and a strong social movement, Eka Se Salakamu, which
access to a foundation they would be left behind and this seeks inclusion of those stigmatized. It was also proven that in the face of challenging
will have a direct impact on the economy of our country. circumstances, what mattered was consistency.

My view is that in these times of economic hardship, Piyawara is not just any corporate social responsibility (CSR) project…..it is driven with
Piyawara will support the growth in the economy and this, in turn, will bring our passion and purpose. Anything is achievable with passion and purpose.
returns on investment.

146 Hemas Piyawara - A Journey to the Future