Sri Lanka Commemorated 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami December 26; I can’t help but take my thoughts back to that fateful day and how Rotary Sri Lanka responded to the tragedy that visited us.

We did not simply sit back and accept it as an act of God. We did not stop with the initial assistance we gave those impacted. We reacted much more strongly to complete one of the largest service projects undertaken by a single country in the Rotary world.

When we think back, we are filled with deep emotion and gratitude for what we accomplished through our Rotary Schools Reawaken Project.

The disaster claimed over 35,000 lives in our country, yet despite this unimaginable loss, we found the strength to create a legacy of hope and renewal. Rotary Sri Lanka, with courage and resolve, agreed to the monumental task of building 25 new schools across the country.

This was no ordinary project—it would be a testament to the spirit of resolve, collaboration, and service that defines Rotary. We persevered against countless challenges, including land allocation issues, security concerns in conflict zones, death threats to our leadership from interested parties, and the sheer scale of the undertaking.

To return to the beginning, I will never forget the day Krish Rajendran, Dion Schoorman, Thariq Thulba, and Lucky Pieris came to my office in Kelaniya for our initial meeting to discuss the government’s invitation to us to help build schools.

When we set out to build 25 schools, we had no drawings, no idea of costs, no land, and no money.

Preliminary discussions estimated the building costs at USD 12m. We wondered whether we were taking on too much, but we succeeded to an extent we never thought possible.

Twenty-four schools were completed across 21 sites, with one partially built school repurposed as a hospital. These schools stand as beacons of opportunity, serving thousands of children and embodying the promise of a brighter future.

We must express our immense gratitude to the clubs that oversaw the schools they were partnered with. We appeal to them to return to those schools and help them in any way possible.

Our achievement at the time was nothing short of heroic. Through meticulous planning, innovative problem- solving, and tireless effort, we built schools and hope. The Ministry of Education hailed our work as exemplary, and the Central Bank Governor referred to our project as a “best practice” model for tsunami recovery efforts. One of our schools, the Uthayapuram School in Batticaloa, even received the prestigious Geoffrey Bawa Award for Excellence in Architecture. This honor underscores the quality and thoughtfulness of our work.

Our efforts placed Rotary Sri Lanka firmly on the global map. The project garnered international acclaim for its transparency, professionalism, and impact. Rotary leaders, including RI Presidents, RI Directors, The General Secretary, Trustees of the Rotary Foundation, and global sponsors, visited our schools and participated in its inaugurations.

Their recognition is a testament to the extraordinary contributions of every stakeholder – architects, engineers, donors, government officials, and, above all, Rotarians- who made this vision a reality.

This was not just a construction project; it was a movement. We transformed a tragedy into an opportunity to uplift communities and change lives. Today, our schools accommodate over 15,000 students, far exceeding the original capacity.

We turned empty plots of land into vibrant learning centers, proving that anything is possible with determination and unity.

As we reflect on this journey and as we celebrate the indomitable spirit that made it possible, we cannot forget our partners and supporters.

Our principal partners, Standard Chartered Bank and its (then) CEO, Mr. Vishnu Mohan, contributed cash and resources throughout the project. The SCB Group CEO, flew down from London, to attend the inauguration of the first school along with a host of RI leadership, including President-Elect Bill Boyd. A (then) new Rotarian, Pubudu de Zoysa, managed the construction and made sure the school was ready to accept visitors.

The Ministry of Education, whose members served on our Board and who extended every possible cooperation to us in getting all the red tape through for each school.

The Director of School Works, her staff, and the regional Directors have all supported us and assisted us at key stages.
The Rotary Foundation of RI directly contributed over US$3m, as did a few overseas Rotary Clubs and others that paid for the construction of some of the schools.

Microsoft Sri Lanka provided the software for all the school Computer Centres and provided basic training for all the staff.

The American Red Cross assisted us with the plumbing, sewerage, and sanitary works in all the schools, whilst Room to Read USA provided us with fully equipped libraries in all the schools.

F J & G de Saram provided free legal and secretarial services throughout the project. Price Waterhouse Coopers and H L B Edisrisinhe & Co., on concessionary terms, handled this trust company’s cash handling, accounting, and auditing functions.

Our CEO, Rtn Dion Schoorman, was the central pillar, personifying “service above self” and spending hours working individually and collectively with the rest of the Board and team to maintain our momentum.

Our field engineers, administrative officers, and site supervisors worked with us on a contractual basis.

Together, we turned despair into hope and devastation into opportunity. We proved that even in the darkest times, the human spirit can rise above adversity and create something extraordinary. These schools are more than just buildings; they are monuments to resilience, compassion, and the enduring belief that every child deserves the chance to dream and achieve.

It is with great pride that we Rotarians note that each year, the products from these schools are now passing out as Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Engineers, etc, from our universities, and these professionals are now the new leaders in society.

As we mark this 20th anniversary, let us remember not just the lives we lost but the lives we touched, the futures we shaped, and the hope we rekindled. Our collective effort is a testament to what is possible when we come together with a shared purpose and an unyielding commitment to service.

Let this anniversary be not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action—a reminder that Rotary’s spirit can move mountains, change lives, and leave a legacy that inspires generations to come.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we truly made history. Let us continue to dream big, act boldly, and serve selflessly, knowing that our actions can create ripples of change far beyond what we can imagine.

With heartfelt gratitude and immense pride,
K. R. Ravindran