Thayalan Bartlett CEO of JWT exchanges the MOU with Thariq Thulba Chairman of the Working Committee of Light to Life, whilst Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Chairman of the Vocational Training Institute, looks on.

Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka and JWT Colombo have teamed up to create opportunities for youth through vocational training in war torn areas. The project is called Light to Life and uses an innovative mechanism to create awareness and generate funds on a global scale. The Light to Life project is endorsed by the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka and aims to initially collect a sum of Rs. 25 million or US$ 215,000 to build a vocational training school in the war torn areas of Sri Lanka. Towards the overall success of this project, over 60 partners of JWT have committed their unstinted support by offering media, production and a host of other services free of charge, which would otherwise have collectively amounted to the approximate value of Rs. 65 million.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Thayalan Bartlett - Chief Executive Officer of JWT Colombo explained that the Government has effectively played its role in bringing about a final conclusion to the war. The private sector should not wait for more dividends from the Government, but should now come together and create the dividends for its citizens by turning Sri Lanka into a vibrant, thriving entity. To do so, the private sector has to first ensure that those left in the wake of a 30 year war are brought up to speed with the rest of the country. A modern vocational training institute is a worthy and timely investment towards the future of Sri Lanka. We hope that once this institute is set up, it will help youth to help themselves and the society they live in.