Skills Enhancement of Rural English Language Teachers (SERELT) project—an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming English language education in underserved rural communities is officially launched by HSBC Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL), and the Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE) of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

The launch event, held on Wednesday, 23 April at HSBC’s Colombo headquarters, marked a significant milestone for SIHL as it entered into a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and PGIE, with the support of HSBC. This tri-sector collaboration—bringing together public, non-governmental, and corporate entities—sets a noteworthy precedent for future educational initiatives in Sri Lanka.

The SERELT project is designed to strengthen the pedagogical skills of 160 English language teachers from four districts: Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Monaragala, and Vavuniya. By enhancing the quality of English instruction in these regions, the project is expected to indirectly benefit over 8,000 students, contributing to improved learning outcomes and long-term educational advancement.

The program incorporates globally recognized training components, including the Cambridge Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT), Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and 21st Century Teaching Skills. These modules are tailored to develop not only subject knowledge but also the mindset and practical teaching capabilities of participating educators. As part of the initiative, 50 teachers will receive scholarships to pursue the Cambridge TKT Module 1 certification, further elevating their professional qualifications.

The SERELT project is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. HSBC’s involvement underscores its ongoing commitment to social responsibility, education, and inclusive development across the country.

This initiative not only enhances the professional capacity of rural educators but also represents a meaningful step toward bridging educational gaps and creating lasting impact within Sri Lanka’s rural communities.

We were honored to be joined at the event by a distinguished group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise in education and development, each contributing meaningfully to the success of this initiative:

HSBC Sri Lanka:

• Mr. Mark Surgenor – Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka

• Ms. Dilini Fernando – Head of Sustainability, HSBC Sri Lanka

Ministry of Education:

• Ms. Nimali Baduraliya – Director, English and Foreign Languages

• Ms. Indumini Dharshika – Deputy Director of Education

Postgraduate Institute of English, Open University of Sri Lanka:

• Dr. Romola Rassool – Director, PGIE

• Dr. Agra Rajapakse – Senior Lecturer

• Ms. Mihiri Jansz – Senior Lecturer

• Mr. W. D. T. Tilakaratne – Registrar

• Mr. G. H. Gamini – Bursar

Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning:

• Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne – President of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and Director General of SIHL

• Mr. Jerome Cooray – Consultant and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) focal point

• Mr. Mudith Bulathsinghala – Assistant Consultant

• Ms. Anushka Shyamali – Assistant Director, SIHL