- A landmark achievement in advancing early childhood development across Sri Lanka
The Hemas Outreach Foundation has announced the opening of its 75th Piyawara Preschool, marking a milestone in Sri Lanka’s early childhood development sector. The new preschool has been established under the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha in partnership with Fly & Help, Germany.
Piyawara was founded in collaboration with the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, with the objective of providing Sri Lankan children with access to early learning during their formative years. At present, more than 4,000 preschoolers benefit each year from the Piyawara model, which focuses on child-friendly learning environments, trained educators, and a supportive approach to early education.
The opening ceremony in Homagama was attended by the Chairperson and members of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha, parliamentarians, government officials, religious leaders, parents, children, and members of the local community. Senior leadership of Hemas Holdings PLC, including members of the Board of Directors, as well as Trustees of the Hemas Outreach Foundation, were also present.
Speaking at the event, the Hemas Outreach Foundation the Chairperson stated: “Reaching the 75th Piyawara Preschool is a moment of pride not only for Hemas, but for every community that has helped bring this initiative to life. For more than two decades, Piyawara has provided a safe space for children to learn and grow, and we remain committed to expanding this effort so that thousands more young learners can access quality preschool education across Sri Lanka.”
The Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairperson Kasun Rathnayake stated, “Our primary goal is to provide a high-quality educational foundation that supports the holistic development of every child, while ensuring their safety and wellbeing. We also take special responsibility in preparing children for the future by nurturing their intelligence, creativity, social abilities, and the essential skills needed for school life.”
The Hemas Outreach Foundation Executive Director Shiromi Masakorala, highlighted the wider impact of the programme: “Piyawara is more than a collection of preschools, it is a holistic approach to early childhood development. Over 23 years, more than 100,000 children have received early education through Piyawara. Beyond infrastructure development, we invest in teacher upskilling, parental engagement, child protection, support for children with disabilities, and emergency interventions during times of crisis. Our vision is to strengthen the entire early childhood ecosystem in Sri Lanka.”
From its beginnings as a single preschool, Piyawara has expanded to 75 centres through collaboration with local authorities and partner organisations. As the programme continues to grow, the Hemas Outreach Foundation said it remains focused on expanding access to preschool education, particularly in underserved communities.
With additional preschools currently under construction and planned, the Piyawara programme aims to extend its reach and support early childhood education across Sri Lanka.