Old Johnians build new house for student affected by cyclone
View(s):The Association of Old Johnians of St John’s College, Panadura has constructed and handed over a new house to a Grade 7 student whose family was left homeless after their wooden house was destroyed by a cyclone in November 2025.
The official handover ceremony took place on April 7, in Panadura.
The family’s situation was first brought to the attention of the association by Saman Kariyawasam.
The affected family of five, including three children and their father, a daily wage labourer, had been living in difficult conditions since the disaster.
Led by President Saman Fernando and General Secretary Neeth Udesha, the association launched a project to build a permanent house. The foundation stone was laid in January 2026.
The house, built at a cost of approximately Rs 3 million, was fully funded by contributions from Old Johnians. Architectural plans were provided by Gayan Hettiarachchi, while construction was carried out under the supervision of Ruwan Thilakarathne and fellow alumni.
The handover ceremony was attended by Principal of St John’s National College, Yamuna Perera, teachers, clergy members, and representatives of the association, including Treasurer M Kushantha Nalin Peiris, Deputy President Saman Liyanage, and Assistant Secretary Gayani Wijayasinghe.
(IB)
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