Colombo, February 21 (QNA) - Qatar Charity (QC) has laid the foundation stone for the Qatar Charity Educational Complex at Al-Hikma School in the Ampara District of eastern Sri Lanka. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, members of the local executive committee for school development, community leaders, parents, and students.

The project forms part of Qatar Charity's ongoing efforts to improve learning environments, enhance educational quality, and raise students' academic achievement, contributing to sustainable development in underserved communities.

The project involves the construction of a fully integrated educational complex covering an area of 1,400 square meters within Al-Hikma School, which currently serves around 500 male and female students at the primary and preparatory levels. The complex will comprise three educational buildings: the first will include eight classrooms, the second four classrooms, in addition to a multi-purpose hall for events and meetings. The third building will house a library, a science laboratory, and several administrative offices, along with a water well, sanitation facilities, service pathways, and other essential infrastructure. The total cost of the project is approximately QAR 2.5 million, funded by philanthropists from the State of Qatar.

Speaking at the ceremony, Country Director of Qatar Charity's Sri Lanka Branch, Mahmoud Abu Khalifa said the project reflects Qatar Charity's strategic vision of supporting sustainable development sectors, foremost among them education, by expanding access to quality learning opportunities and creating a safe, motivating educational environment.

He noted that investing in education plays a central role in community advancement, poverty reduction, and comprehensive development, and expressed his deep appreciation to the people of Qatar for their continued support of humanitarian and

development initiatives worldwide. He also praised the constructive cooperation with government and local authorities in Sri Lanka.

Alongside this project, Qatar Charity's Sri Lanka Branch continues to implement a wide range of development initiatives across the country, including the construction of schools and additional classrooms, establishment of health centers, drilling of hundreds of water wells, and building homes for vulnerable families.

Qatar Charity's efforts also extend to various social, health, and educational projects, in line with the Sri Lankan government's national development strategy across multiple sectors. (QNA)