LOLC Divi Saviya successfully concluded the first phase of ‘Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai,’ making a significant impact on Sri Lanka’s ongoing recovery from the devastating Cyclone Ditwah by distributing family super packs across six districts, covering 69 divisional secretariats.
Building on the momentum of phase one, LOLC Divi Saviya immediately advanced to its second phase on 5th of January 2026, officially commencing a nationwide school renovation drive under the same initiative ‘Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai.’ This phase focuses on restoring 200 schools damaged by the cyclone, ensuring that education can continue uninterrupted.
With a total investment of over Rs. 400 million, the initiative encompasses the family super pack distribution, school renovations in phase two, and the complete rebuilding of selected schools which will be carried out in phase three. Working closely under the guidance and supervision of relevant government authorities, the project team has carefully identified the most severely affected families and schools, including several that were completely destroyed. All assessments have been thoroughly verified by official bodies, ensuring that support is extended responsibly, transparently, and to those who need it most.
The launch of Phase 2 was symbolically inaugurated at Kolombissa Vidyalaya, Kandy, marking the transition from emergency relief to structured recovery. The event was graced by Mr. Kithsiri Gunawardena, Chief Operations Officer of LOLC Holdings PLC; Mr. Nihal Alahakoon, Provincial Director of Education; Mr. Indika Udawatte, District Secretary, District Secretariat, Kandy; and Mrs. Madupani Piyasena, Provincial Education Secretary Central Province, Ministry of Education. The gathering was further attended by Regional and Branch Managers and the staff from LOLC Group companies as well as representatives from MTV Channels (Pvt) Ltd., the infrastructure facilitator of LOLC Divi Saviya.
Commenting at the launch of phase two, Mr. Kithsiri Gunawardena stated, “In times of crisis, recovery must go beyond immediate relief and focus on restoring stability, dignity, and opportunity. It is our observation that during such devastation children belonging to low income groups suffer much higher levels of mental trauma and become vulnerable for long term psychological conditions. Thus, enabling the children to get back to the familiar environment of their school is of vital importance. Further, education is the most powerful foundation for rebuilding lives and strengthening the future of our nation. Through this phase of Divi Saviya, we are restoring safe and functional learning environments for children, whose education has been severely disrupted, ensuring that no child is left behind as Sri Lanka moves forward from this crisis. In the next phase, we will focus on rebuilding schools that were completely destroyed, equipping them with essential facilities to provide safe, future-ready learning environments for children.”
LOLC Divi Saviya was first launched in early 2022 with ‘Jeewithaya Dinannata’ (To Win Life), delivering dry rations over 100 days to 125,000 families during the compounded challenges of the post-pandemic period and economic crisis. This was followed by ‘Daye Daruwange Anagathaya Wenuwen’ (On Behalf of the Future of the Nation’s Children), which supported students across 4,090 schools, covering nearly 40 percent of Sri Lanka’s school population, with an investment of Rs. 2.5 billion, at a time when rising costs and economic hardship threatened access to education.
Each chapter of Divi Saviya reflects LOLC’s consistent resolve to stand by the people during every major crisis faced by the nation, a commitment that continues with renewed strength through “Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai. ”