For those of us at Horizon Lanka, September 15, 2005 was one of the luckiest days. Mrs. Lovina Charles and her son Roger Charles visited the village again to grace the Groundbreaking Ceremony that we organized at the auspicious time. The villagers eagerly gathered at the site and took part in the event.

“Sri Lankans possess a higher standard of knowledge than the other nations in the world. It is our children who will become the custodians of our country’s future. Even if we live for one hundred years, we have to step aside handing over the country to the next generation. When that is the case, the only inheritance that we should leave behind to our children who will be responsible for the future of the country, is the education imparted. And, that needs to be a proper education.”

Mr. Sumudu Premachandra, District Judge of Anuradhapura, stated as above at the Foundation Laying Ceremony for the new two-storey building of Horizon Lanka Academy, which provides computer education to children in the region.

Speaking further, District Judge Premachandra said, “Many parents in our country are apprehensive about providing computer education to their children. The reason behind this is the fear that the child would use the computer to view obscene materials; would be tempted to do wrong. Moreover, it is the computer that is used to print forged currency. So, using computers will lead to our children end up in jail. Any bad thing can be used to do good. Similarly, there are opportunities when any good thing had been used to do the undesirable. Therefore, there should be no fear about giving computer education. Today, the opportunity is there to get connected to any country in the world in a flash through the Internet. Although I am stationed at Anuradhapura, I came to know that there is an institute such as Horizon in this underprivileged area close to Anuradhapura when I was engaged in further studies in the UK. Seeing the talent of the children in a remote village such as Mahavilachchiya that is far away from Colombo through a web page brought a tear to my eye. Although the real value of this institute is not understood by many in this region as well in Sri Lanka, those in countries such as the UK appreciate its true worth. That is why it receives assistance from those living in such countries. During our school days, we did not have the opportunity of receiving modern technology-based computer education. Today, the children even in these underprivileged villages have the opportunity for seeking current knowledge. There are highly talented children in villages such as these. If it is possible to provide them with the necessary technological facilities, they will provide a yeoman service to this country. As acquiring computer skills brings with it English knowledge, establishing links with the rest of the world becomes quite easy. It is also possible to open up employment opportunities through the Internet. As education is the inheritance of the highest value that we can bestow on our children, it is essential that we take steps to provide them with an appropriate education.

Mr. Sugath Kithsiri, Additional Divisional Secretary, expressing his views, stated, “Mahavilachchiya is one most under-privileged villages in the Anuradhapura District. Such a village becoming a village with the highest number of computers today, having Internet links is a matter for great pride. It is true that obscene material that comes through the Internet directs children along the wrong path, but if you take a knife you can do bad as well as good with it. It is up to the parents to have a thorough understanding as to how their children use the Internet. Rather than keeping the computer hidden in a room, it is more important to have it in a place that draws the attention of everyone. Even if we use new technology to the maximum extent, it is important that we safeguard our identity as the Sri Lankan nation. It is important that we use it in a manner that does not threaten our national culture and gives us economic benefits as through tourism.”

Mr. Nandasiri Wanninayaka, the initiator of Horizon Lanka: “In a short period of just 7 years we have a come a long way. This institute that started under a tree, without a bench or a desk, has reached a level of technical knowledge that is beyond comprehension. We have not only achieved the technical knowledge that is there in countries such as the USA that make optimum use of technology, but it is a point for great satisfaction that we also have been able to benefit from and acquired knowledge to use such technological equipment. Today it is those who live abroad more than those in Sri Lanka who talk of the village of Mahavilachchiya . Horizon Lanka is the place that has the fastest Internet links in the Anuradhapura District. Similarly, the village that has the highest number of computers in Sri Lanka is this same Mahavilachchiya. Today, over 50 children in this village have computers in their homes. I am pleased that among these there are five laptops – a model of computer that is very expensive. Although we received no assistance whatsoever from any government institution at the beginning, today ICT Agency that functions under government sponsorship offers us help. Accordingly, plans are afoot to make Mahavilachchiya the first Model eVillage. It is the younger generation that is going to reap the benefits from all these measures. The major barrier to making this region an e-village is the inadequacy of infrastructural facilities. Although the approach road to the village is being renovated at present, the roads inside the village are in a deplorable state. In addition, there are occasional power failures. If the government would intervene and provide the resources of infrastructure, our children are ready to do the rest.
(Updated: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 9:18 AM )