Sri Lanka has achieved relatively high levels of literacy and health care compared to many other developing nations in the Asia region, despite the crippling costs of the ongoing Civil War. GDP has grown on average 4 – 6 % per year, literacy rates for the total population over 15 years are 92.3% (significantly 90% for females), infant mortality rates have been significantly reduced since the 1970s and overall life expectancy is improving. Despite this economic and social growth, 25% of the population still live in poverty, and quality of housing stock and living conditions for many Sri Lankans is extremely poor. 51% of the population of the capital, Colombo, lives in shanties or slums, often with 3-4 families living in a single dwelling. Although 450,000 children are enrolled in primary schools every year, only 13,000 will continue on to university.

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Foundation Projects

In Sri Lanka the Lasallian Foundation supports development and emergency relief projects conducted under the auspices of Lasallian Community Education Services in Colombo and other projects working with disadvantaged children run by the De La Salle Brothers' District of Sri Lanka.

Project Spotlight
Lasallian Community Education Services

Lasallian Community Education Services was established in Colombo in 1981 by Dr Emmanuel Nicholas, FSC, in concert with Lorna Wright. Its primary work at that time was in the Henamulla local shanty encampment, where 800 families were cramped in illegal shelters.

At the time, children had no access to education, and on average one child died of preventable disease every week. Br Emmanuel instituted a wide ranging health and nutrition program for mothers and children and within 3 years preventable child mortality was eradicated.

Today 6,000 families are living in the same shanty areas, often several families to one room. LCES's programs today encompass:
•    Pre-schools providing education to 450 children in 3 centres. "Differently Abled"
     children are now also being catered for through the employment of a Special Education
     teacher.
•    Health and nutrition programs are being provided to mothers and children as part of the
     campaign to reduce child mortality, and ensure higher birth weight babies with better
     long term health and educational outcomes. More than 500 mothers are enrolled in the
     program, and all the children in the shanties are now monitored from conception to
     adulthood.
•    Continuing education and skills education training is provided to 250 older boys and
     girls in hospitality, training, metal work, carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades.

Henamulla Navanivasa Housing Complex

There are 150 houses in this section of Henamulla accommodating 160 families, all of which lack plumbing and electricity. The houses share 12 toilets, six of which are unusable as the doors have been removed. These six toilets have to cater for 1,500 people in the complex. There are only two public water taps for the entire population in the area.

Overpopulation in the complex was worsened in 1996 following a terrorist attack on the Colombo Harbour. Residents from Crow Island were relocated to the city garbage dump and were given a 100 square ft area and Rs 1000/- (AUD$12) each, further increasing stress on the area

KEY STATISTICS

LCES Nutrition and Health Programs

Percentage of low birth weight babies in target areas

Reduction of undernutrition in infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the LCES program: