Bridging The Digital Divide

Embarking on a revolutionary journey to bridge the digital divide, the Dhammika Perera IT Campus Education Project is a transformative force in the lives of young individuals in the Amapara area of Eastern Sri Lanka.

Launched on 17 April 2023, it is a joint initiative of the Mandala Maha Viharaya and the visionary Dhammika Perera Foundation. This project is reshaping opportunities in the pursuit of knowledge, empowerment, and tackling poverty.

The driving force behind this groundbreaking initiative is Dhammika Perera and Priscilla Perera, a trailblazing business consortium, whose Foundation is dedicated to providing free, high-quality education and healthcare to underserved communities, particularly in the remote corners of Sri Lanka.

Their unwavering commitment revolves around ensuring equal access to cutting-edge digital learning and healthcare, contributing to the creation of a nation, based on equity.

Situated within the Mandala Maha Viharaya, this project is not merely a noble idea but a tangible reality, with the Foundation assuming responsibility for staff salaries, IT equipment, and all other project necessities.

Over 600 eager students have already enrolled in the one-year course, immersing themselves in the realm of coding, web design, and artificial intelligence, ensuring they are not left behind in this rapidly evolving digital era.

Chief Incumbent, Venerable Suhadagama Seelaratne Thero, explained that the temple was built in 1938, following the development projects in the area initiated by DS Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

Pointing out that “Buddhism lays special emphasis to help and support communities”, Venerable Seelaratne said: “The temple officials and I, decided to take part in this important programme. We felt that it would benefit young people in the community. After speaking to Mr Dhammika Perera and his officials, we decided to host the project in our temple premises.”

“Since its establishment, I see that the project is increasing knowledge and bringing out information technology skills among young people to realise their potential.”

“Children our area lack initiative. Poverty erodes confidence. The open economy in the world has advantages, but it has also given rise to serious problems. Parents depart to work abroad, leaving young people without parental care and support. These young people don’t have direction, guidance or care and support during their most important young years. Drugs and addiction to games in smartphones are now serious problems."

"We deal with these issues directly in our Dhamma School, which the temple holds on Sundays.”

The project's IT teacher, Nilusha Kuruwitage, shared insights into the one-year course, emphasising its diverse applications across disciplines. He said: ”After completing the course, some continue with IT skills, coding and web design skills. However, information technology is beneficial to all disciplines. Some students from other fields have taken time off to follow this course, recognising that IT skills are indispensable to any discipline in today's world."

Notably, the Dhammika Perera Foundation goes beyond education, assisting those who complete the IT course in finding online work.

This innovative approach empowers young individuals to work from their own communities, aligning with the Foundation's commitment to human capability development and personalised, accessible, and boundary-free education.

As this visionary initiative takes root in the Amapara area, it's essential to recognise its broader impact.

So far, the Dhammika Perera Foundation has established 124 such centres throughout Sri Lanka, strategically located within temples.

This project demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration between business leaders, foundations, and the Buddhist ethics of serving the disadvantaged.

The open-minded approach of many Dhamma leaders in Sri Lanka, hosting campuses within their premises, sets an inspiring example for effective action.

As we highlight this initiative, let it serve as a reminder of the global significance of similar Buddhist activities, offering education and hope to remote communities, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

List of DP IT Education Campuses in Sri Lanka:

https://www.dpitcampus.lk/lms/mod/page/view.php?id=116

Includes courses on: HTML, Word Press, Python Beginners and Intermediate, Web Developer, Data Scientist, Software Test Automation Engineer, Project Manager, Cloud Developer and Robotics.

https://dpeducation.lk/en/

Online Buddhist Studies: https://dpeducation.lk/en/programs/buddhist-studies