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Colombo, Oct. 22-- The Tissapura Junior School in Hambantota in Sri Lanka’s southern province was a picture of joy on Oct. 18. Led by Principal A. H. Weerakeerthi, the kids were singing and dancing happily. The occasion was the inauguration of a two-storyed new school building that was built by the China Merchants Charity Foundation, on a free of charge basis. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sri Lankan and Chinese dignitaries like Cheng Xueyuan, China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Y. Wickramasiri, Secretary of the Southern Province Education Ministry, and Ray Ren, CEO of the Hambantota International Port Group. Principals of other schools and residents of other villages in the vicinity were also present. Young Nethma Dinethri who spoke on behalf of the students at the inaugural function was effusive in her remarks. “Today is our happiest day,” she declared with pride. “We have a brand new building which is also equipped with a computer room and a music room, and a brand new library. In such a teaching environment, our studies will be more productive. I appreciate the Chinese company and the Chinese Embassy for lending a helping hand to create such a wonderful learning environment," Nethma said. Principal Weerakeerthi recalled the origin of the school building project. A few years ago he had met Ray Ren, who was then the CEO of the Colombo International Container Terminal. Weerakeerthi told Ray Ren that he was originally a music teacher with 30 years experience but in 2017, he volunteered to be principal of a school in a remote and poverty stricken area to be of service to the people there. This landed him in the Tissapura Junior School in the Hambantota district. | 
