Revisiting the tsunami destruction in Sri Lanka
December 26, 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami; my thoughts go back to that fateful day and how Rotary Sri Lanka, RID 3220, responded to the tragedy. We did not simply sit back and accept it as an act of God, or 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. As we look back, we are filled with deep emotion and gratitude for what we accomplished through our Rotary Schools Reawaken project.
The calamity 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 and 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.
The calamity claimed over 35,000 lives. Despite this unimaginable loss, Rotary in Sri Lanka found the strength to create a legacy of hope and renewal.
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 cost, no land and no money.
Preliminary discussions estimated the building cost at a staggering $12 million. 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 bright future.
We express our immense gratitude to the clubs that oversaw the schools they were partnered with, and appeal to them to return to those schools and help them in any way possible.
Our achievement at that time was nothing short of heroic. Through meticulous planning, innovative problem-solving and tireless efforts, 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 honour underscores the quality of our work.
The estimated building cost was a staggering $12 million. We wondered if we were taking on too much, but succeeded to an extent we never thought possible.
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, directors, general secretary, TRF trustees and global sponsors, visited our schools and participated in their 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 centres, proving that anything is possible with determination and unity.
As we reflect on this journey and 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, Vishnu Mohan, contributed cash and resources throughout the project. He flew down from London, to attend the inauguration of the first school, along with a host of RI leadership, including the then President-elect Bill Boyd. PDG Pubudu de Zoysa, then a new Rotarian, managed the construction and made sure the school was ready to accept visitors.
The Ministry of Education, whose members served on our Board, extended every possible cooperation in getting all the red tape through for each school. The Director of School Works, her staff, and the regional directors supported and assisted us at key stages.
More than buildings, these 25 schools are monuments of resilience, compassion and belief that every child deserves to dream and achieve.
The Rotary Foundation directly contributed over $3 million, as did a few overseas Rotary clubs that paid for the construction of some of the schools.
Microsoft Sri Lanka gave the software for computer centres in all the schools 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, a leading law firm in Sri Lanka, provided free legal and secretarial services throughout the project. PricewaterhouseCoopers and H L B Edisrisinhe, on concessionary terms, handled this trust company’s cash handling, accounting and auditing functions. Our CEO 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. 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 of 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, students from these schools are now passing out as doctors, lawyers, teachers or engineers, from our universities, and 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 action can create ripples of change far beyond our imagination.
The writer is a past RI President
