The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) together with John Keells Foundation declared open the new De Mel Park Community Centre in Colombo 02 on 9th December 2019.

The project, initiated by CMC and Her Worship Rosy Senanayake, the Mayor of Colombo, was funded by John Keells Foundation (JKF) together with John Keells Properties which undertook its construction as a community development initiative.

The project is aligned with John Keells Praja Shakthi – JKF’s community empowerment initiative – which catalyses active and sustained business engagement within the communities of the Group’s business locations. CMC fully supported in the planning and execution of the building while undertaking the commitment to furnish, equip and manage the community centre.

The Community Centre was vested in the community by the Mayor of Colombo and representatives of John Keells management. The centre which serves as a multi-disciplinary facility offers a spacious and child-friendly premises for the Wekanda pre-school which doubles as a creche housing 20 children and also features an auditorium cum training room and a recreation/reading/study space.

JKF has been actively conducting community empowerment initiatives in Colombo 02 over the past 15 years including educational and livelihood development initiatives as well as the refurbishment and maintenance of the historic Kompannavidiya Railway Station. JKF plans to conduct many such community empowerment activities in the future in collaboration with the CMC, partner organizations and businesses of the John Keells Group.