Disused trawler gets new lease of life Galagedara school gets a unique library

The Principal of Galagedara Primary  Captain Nalinda Heenagama (Cadet Corp)  informed the Old Boy’s Association  of the school in 1994 of  his vision of a Library  with the least expenses

It is  unusual to find a library inside a trawler. This feat was achieved by the principal of a primary school  who established a library inside a forty seven  and a half foot long trawler named “Uthara 04” valued at Rs 82 lakhs that  had remained idle  for three years in  Cod Bay,  Trincomelee,  after  the owner’s son had  died suddenly.

The Principal of Galagedara Primary  Captain Nalinda Heenagama (Cadet Corp)  informed the Old Boy’s Association  of the school in 1994 of  his vision of a Library  with the least expenses,  and his visit to a former  Politician of Trincomalee  to  request that the boat be released to the school  to create a library for the children’s benefit. The former Politician happens to be     Ms.  Ariyawathie Galappathi who  had retired from politics after the death of her only child.

 The  trawler was brought to the school with the assistance of the old boys who were very keen  to build a Library for their students.

The Library has 5000 books,  and it has enough space for 15,000. Capt. Heenagama proudly says that this type of Library is not seen anywhere else in the country and he has not troubled the Education Ministry for funds.

The Principal  Captain  Heenagama of the Cadet Corp  (in white),  the Senior Secretary of  the Central Government Ms. Madupani Piyasena and  Education Director Nihal Alahakoon at the opening ceremony

Inside the new library

Inspecting the trawler turned library