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Virtusans Donate Over Rs.10 Million to Post-Tsunami Relief Efforts
Wednesday, 21 September 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
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Virtusans and well wishers reaffirm their commitment to rebuild the lives of those affected by the tsunami by donating a total of LKR Rs.10.2 million towards a number of relief programs in Sri Lanka and India. The company set up the Virtusa Relief Fund (VRF) in December 2004 with a vision to provide relief to fellow Virtusans and the Community affected by the Tsunami. Virtusans and well wishers in the US, UK, India and Sri Lanka made contributions to this fund.
In keeping with our commitment to enhance the education sector, in Sri Lanka, Virtusa donated funds to the Rotary Club Colombo Regency to rebuild the Tsunami affected IT Center of the Onthachchimadam Sri Vinyagar Vidyalaya in Batticaloa.
Further contributions were made to a livelihood development program in the ornamental fishing industry in Matara, This project was carried out by the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) and Sarvodaya.
In December, Virtusans rallied together and provided essentials such as water, medicine, food and clothing daily for several weeks to the affected communities in Sri Lanka and India. Virtusans affected were also provided assistance to rebuild/replace their homes/possessions affected by the devastation.
Applying IT skills to help the plight of the victims, Virtusans spearheaded the development of the Disaster Relief System `Sahana` in Sri Lanka. A feature article which appeared in the Wall Street Journal on February 3, 2005 [written by Elizabeth Weinstein] commended the system. `In Colombo Sri Lanka, engineers working for Massachusetts information technology services firm Virtusa Corp., built a web based application called `Sahana` that served several pressing needs, registering displaced people including those in camps and coordinating the logistics and supply needs of the scores of aid groups on the ground`.
In Tamil Nadu, Virtusan aid reached around 200 families, in the villages of Nedukuppam and KannathurKuppam. Virtusa was the first to reach these areas with the help of Red Cross India. A further donation was made to the Chief Minister`s Fund in Tamil Nadu.
Virtusans and well wishers also contributed to the UNICEF Tsunami relief fund.
In a thank you note, Chairman/CEO of Virtusa Corporation, Kris Canekeratne said, `while the devastation and destruction was incomprehensible, we have been amazed by the heartfelt contributions and effort of Virtusans and well wishers all over the world. We are incredibly thankful for and touched by the spirit of Virtusans during such a difficult time for our communities.`
Virtusa is a global software development and IT services firm focused on increasing our client`s business agility and IT efficiency by building custom software platforms tailored to create and sustain a client`s competitive advantage. Since 1996, Virtusa has partnered with Fortune 1000 enterprises and leading software product companies in the financial services, communications, retail, high technology and other industries. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Virtusa maintains offices and technology centers throughout the USA, the UK, India and Sri Lanka.
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