Odel last week announced that it has set aside a section identified as "Corner of Hope" for any charitable organisation to hold promotions or sale of products for fund-raising purposes.

The company said in a press release that the area, located near the entrance of Odel Unlimited near Town Hall, will be given out free of charge. It said that the project will come under direct supervision of the Odel Foundation - Odel’s charity arm. Any organisation interested in using the Corner of Hope could contact Odel for further inquiries.

"Odel has acquired a reputation for collaborating closely with charitable causes over the years and is considered to be an ideal responsible corporate citizen," the press release quotes a company spokesperson as saying. It said that even in the past, several charity concerns have held sales and exhibitions at Odel, supported by patrons of the company.

Among the organisations are Navajeevana, a community-based rehabilitation centre for disabled children. A 2002 calendar, created by disabled children from Navajeevana went on sale, the proceeds went toward rehabilitation services for disabled people throughout southern Sri Lanka.