Thakshila College, one of Gampaha district’s oldest schools, was
widely discussed during the 2021 ordinary level examinations as a picture of students sitting for
the exam in a damaged building during heavy rains was circulated. The public, including
mainstream media institutions, brought the school’s plight to light, and that is when the
heart-warming story was picked up by Rhino Roofing Products Limited, who recognised the
needs of the children at the school and decided to make a difference in these growing lives
despite the country’s situation.
The school, which opened on June 12, 1992, with sixty students has grown to 2250 students
studying in both Sinhala and English mediums. However, the school has recently faced
menacing issues that have impacted students during one of their most important life turning
points, the Ordinary Level Examinations. Under the leadership of the Managing Director, Rhino
stepped forward to renovate the building in order to provide a safe learning environment for
the students.
E. J. Gnanam, Managing Director of Rhino Roofing Products Limited, commenting at the
inauguration ceremony said: “I am convinced that the country’s children and youth are at the
forefront of change, and that we, as responsible corporates and adults in society, must help
them grow into good leaders. A school is a foundation in every child’s life, and we wanted to
give the children at Thakshila College, Gampaha the same opportunity because education is an
equal opportunity. We wish Thakshila College’s talented students the best of luck in their future
endeavours”.
Rhino Roofing Products Limited has been at the forefront of making an impact as a responsible
corporate citizen for the past 60 years, and this time the organisation is taking a step toward
changing the lives of our most valuable asset, children. Despite the construction industry’s
degrowth and economic constraints, the organisation stepped forward as a responsible
corporate to empower the country’s future.
“Thakshila College is a well-known school that has been in the Sri Lankan education system for
over 30 years, and the hazardous situation that occurred during the recent 2021 ordinary level
examinations was unexpected. That is when Rhino stepped forward to assist us in renovating
the building. As a school that has always been a part of graduating talented students, we are
confident that with the current improvements, children will be able to continue their studies
with a happy and free mindset. This is a valuable gift for Thakshila College’s current and future
students, and the students are feeling at ease and motivated”, added M.A. Anula Padmini,
Principal of Thakshila College, Gampaha.
The renovated building was handed over to the Principal of Thakshila College, with the
presence of K.S.P. Karunanayake, Director of Aesthetics representing the Director of Gampaha
Regional Education; E.J. Gnanam, Managing Director; Jude Fernando, Director; Indika
Rajapakse, Chief Operating Officer; the senior management of Rhino Roofing Products Limited
and other distinguished guests on August 26 with a welcoming inauguration ceremony at the
school premises.
Since their humble inception in 1962, Rhino Roofing Products have grown to become the
premium providers of roofing solutions to the Nation. For decades, Rhino has been recognized
as the noteworthy manufacturer of high-quality roofing and allied products thus contributing
towards invaluable infrastructure growth in Sri Lanka.