Opening Doors to the Digital World
Pirunu Kusak Pirunu Hisak: Computer Lab 1
We did more than just open a computer lab. We opened a world of opportunity. The “Pirunu Kusak – Pirunu Hisak” program officially launched its first computer lab at Sinhapura College in Padaviya, North Trincomalee.
For the very first time, students at Sinhapura College will have the opportunity to officially study Information Technology (IT). Until now, they didn’t have the option to choose IT as a subject. Instead, they were told to choose Art, which, if you think about it, is like comparing mangos to radishes—two completely different things.
Most of these kids had never touched a computer. They had never typed a single word. They didn’t even know that IT was an official subject. While they’ve heard the term “digitalization,” the digital world has always felt impossibly far away. Today, that all changes.
Starting now, the Grade 10 students who will be taking their GCE O/L exams in 2026 can choose IT as a subject. While the 19 students taking their exams this year won’t have that chance, for the younger students, this is more than just another class. It’s a language that will unlock a whole new world of opportunities.
The Challenge of Connection
We wished we could have shown the opening ceremony to everyone who couldn’t be there through a Zoom call. The biggest problem? We had no signal. After talking to all the major internet providers in Sri Lanka, it was confirmed: this school is in a dead zone. But don’t worry, we’re working on getting a signal as soon as possible.
Our main motivation for getting an internet connection is to provide these students with remote IT lessons. But we’ve done even better—we’ve managed to hire a university graduate from Sinhapura itself as a teacher, and we’ll be able to pay his salary.
This project is about more than just a computer lab. These kids lacked a signal to see the world beyond Sinhapura, they lacked a teacher to guide them, and they didn’t even know IT existed as a subject. So, what we truly opened today was a path to that unseen world.
Think about the impact of this change. A child who used to walk for miles just to get a phone signal is now sitting in front of a computer, connecting with the world. The children of Yap-Thirteen School, located near the Kokilai Lagoon on the eastern edge of the country, are now going to update their knowledge and their dreams. They’re going to touch and use the computers that we first encountered 30 years ago. This is more of a reason to feel a mix of happiness and sorrow for how long they’ve had to wait.
This is no longer just a computer lab. It is the physical manifestation of a strong belief: that every child in Sri Lanka deserves an equitable education, and that includes those in the most hidden, remote corners of the country.
A Community Effort
This project wouldn’t have been possible without your support. Thank you to everyone who made this dream a reality.
- Nihar Pvt Ltd in Australia, and the team Arun Mukhopadhyay, Nuwan Hettiarachi, and Craig Ireland, for sending the high-quality computers needed for these rural labs in Sri Lanka.
- The Perth Friends group for helping with the shipping of all the equipment to Sri Lanka.
- Chandra Uncle for helping with the customs clearance.
- Lakshan for helping with transportation to Anuradhapura.
- All the SFP donors for funding the repair work and other components for the computer room
- DigiTech Anuradhapura for efficiently and affordably providing and assembling the remaining components.
- The SFP Teacher Salary Fund for helping with the salary of the IT teacher.
- The principal, staff, and students of Sinhapura College for their immense help in organizing this program and assisting with all the repair work.
- Kasun and the Fight for Hunger team for managing the school’s food program for the past two years.
A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to renovate and deliver this computer lab to the students of Sinhapura School. This is a dream we’ve had for years, and today, we are seeing it with our own eyes. This project embodies the struggle of someone who deeply believes that without English and IT, the doors to a child’s future open very slowly. Whether their name is mentioned or not, a heartfelt thank you goes out to them.
Starting today, a new subject is being added to Sinhapura School. The Grade 10 students of 2026 will be the first to choose IT as a subject and begin their journey into the world of technology.
#equitable_education_for_all
Dr. Kiloshini Hendawitharana
