Former Sri Lankan born German Senator gives back to his community through an education centre in Point Pedro

German Ambassador Jens Plötner (Centre) with Rev. C.K. Thangarajah from the Holy Trinity Methodists Church, Kaddiavely (right), Sister Daisy Thevakumar (left) and the children after signing the agreement worth RS 3 million to setup the education and activity centre in Point Pedro. Enlarge image German Ambassador Jens Plötner (Centre) with Rev. C.K. Thangarajah from the Holy Trinity Methodists Church, Kaddiavely (right), Sister Daisy Thevakumar (left) and the children after signing the agreement worth RS 3 million to setup the education and activity centre in Point Pedro. (© German Embassy Colombo) COLOMBO, October 25 – The former Sri Lankan born German Senator Ian K. Karan recently helped to setup an education centre for children in Point Pedro with a grant of Rs 3 million. The German Embassy facilitates this project. 

The centre attached to the Holy Trinity Methodists Church in Kaddiavely is funded by former State Minister of Economic Affairs and Labour in the city of Hamburg , Senator Ian K. Karan, who was born in Point Pedro, Sri Lanka. He led a German delegation to Sri Lanka earlier this year during which he visited the Northern Province. This visit inspired several community level projects to help school children in the area.

The education and activity centre will provide afternoon help in Mathematics, English and the Tamil language for about 150 children from the Kaddiavely community. These children aged 10 to 16 will also have access to a sports instructor, a nutritious meal and other play activities after school on weekdays and on Saturday. The group also includes 30 conflict affected orphans.

“Having a safe place to learn, play and relax is important for children and adolescents. Former Senator Karan wanted to create such a space for children in the community where he grew up, because a little help outside the classroom sometimes goes a long way to sustain children’s interest in their studies and to ensure that they don’t drop out, ” said Jens Ploetner, the German Ambassador to Sri Lanka. “We are very happy to facilitate this project.”

“It is difficult for some parents to afford the extra help needed for students sitting for the grade five scholarship exam and the GCE O/Ls in grade 11. This would be a great help for such students,” said Rev. C.K. Thangarajah from the Holy Trinity Methodists Church, Kaddiavely.