The Viduni School, Balapitiya, Sri Lanka
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Welcome to the Viduni School Website.
This site is dedicated to the Viduni Pre-School, Sri Lanka, in the historic Sri Lankan Village of Balapitiya. The school was totally destroyed by the tsunami of December 2004 and, with help from a generous UK public, rebuilt as a new model school.
Contributors include:
- Hawthorns Primary school, Woosehill, Wokingham;
- BBC Radio Berkshire;
- the Montessori School Association UK;
- Winnersh Rangers Football Club;
- the Reading Initiative for Tsunami Action;
- the Rotary Club of Blackwater Valley;
- and the Wokingham Times,
Ceremonial opening, February 2006
The school was ceremonially opened amidst a festive atmosphere, and with a galaxy of overseas and local dignitaries in attendance. Martin Salter, Member of Parliament for Reading West, Bet Tickner, The Mayor Elect of Reading Borough Council, and Ben Mitchell, Treasurer of the Reading Initiative for Tsunami Action all participated in a very moving and emotional dedication of the new school.
Already renowned the world over for their hospitality, the Sri Lankans demonstrated just why this is so, with a memorable day's programme often bordering on the pure magical.
The Principal of the Viduni School and those involved in the Project Management of the school were on hand to greet the visitors from Berkshire. Teachers, parents and well wishers cheered the group as they marched in a procession behind the school band on a winding roadway which was a riot of colour.
The first item on the day’s agenda was the unveiling of a specially commissioned monument with a threefold dedication. The monument is in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the tsunami, in celebration of those who survived; and in gratitude to those special people who helped build the new school. Many visitors were visibly moved at the sight of the monument.
Visit to Sri Lanka, April 2007
See details from the latest visit to the region at BBC Berkshire's Postcards from Sri Lanka .