AdoptSriLanka and the Galle Literary Festival
 


In light of a recent article making false and misleading claims that the charity AdoptSriLanka is inappropriately using donors funds to support the 2007 Galle Literary Festival I wish to inform you of the facts:

  1. ASL is funding an essay writing competition & a debating competition for  schools in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, some of which were affected by the tsunami. We are using the festival as a platform to promote those essays and to encourage young people to study English further.

  2. Both projects have the full support of the Southern Provincial Education Department and the support of schools outside of Sri Lanka who want to form lasting links with Sri Lankan schools and who have provided the funds to make these projects possible.

This is Adopt Sri Lanka's sole connection with the Literary Festival. It is not, as claimed by some, funding other events or costs of the festival.
Should you have any questions regarding the matters above please feel free to contact us.

Geoffrey Dobbs
Founder AdoptSriLanka

 
  Comments on the Debating and Creative Writing Initiatives  
 


Mr. Dinil D Liyanage
Sinhala ISA (In-Service Advisor)
Galle Zonal Education Office

" In reference to the Debating workshop and competitions."
“No one has ever organized such a competition before, so you are doing an excellent thing.   Many events are done for National schools and I am very happy at the fact that you are doing this for Provincial schools.”

Kalahe Sri Sumangaladaya School

  " …a valuable opportunity for the children."

Pilana Takshila School

“Our school does not currently have a debating team, so this will be a really motivating event for them.  I am happy that this opportunity has been made available for our students.”

Uluvitike M.Vschool

 “this will be very useful to improve our students debating skills.”

Hiyare M.V. School

“Everyone wants to develop education but few people recognize just how important debating skills are for education and personal development.  This is a hugely beneficial initiative for students.”

Akmeemana M.V. School

“These initiatives are valuable in developing children’s minds.  This is a great thing.”