The Tata Group, in collaboration with ChildFund and DIMO, has successfully launched an educational support initiative aimed at assisting schoolchildren affected by disasters in Sri Lanka. This program highlights their dedication to aiding communities in recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and the subsequent flooding.
In response to a formal appeal from Sri Lanka, an assessment of the situation was carried out in December 2025. Recognizing the pressing need for assistance, several companies within the Tata Group came together to initiate a response program.
This initiative includes the ‘Hope in a Backpack’ program, designed to provide essential educational materials to children impacted by disasters. The launch event took place at Taj Samudra in Colombo, attended by notable figures including the Chief Guest, Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya; Hon. Indian High Commissioner Mr. Santhosh Jha; Mr. Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman of DIMO; Mr. Chacko Thomas, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of Tata Sons; and Ms. Aditi Ghosh, Country Director of ChildFund.
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Part of DIMO’s Social and Community Pillar, this initiative falls under the project theme ‘Lassana Hetak’, which aims to provide support for the future generation to help them achieve a better tomorrow.
The collective effort was bolstered by volunteers from both Tata and DIMO, who actively participated in packing and distributing supplies to the affected communities. During the event, selected schoolchildren were presented with backpacks filled with essential items.
Mr. Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman of DIMO, expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “DIMO is honored to partner with the Tata Group and ChildFund on this impactful initiative as the local implementation and logistics partner. Our partnership with Tata has flourished over six decades, founded on mutual trust, ethical business practices, and a commitment to delivering lasting value to the communities we serve. We are privileged to assist in this humanitarian effort, enabling children affected by disasters to return to school with confidence while supporting the recovery of communities across Sri Lanka.”
Mr. Chacko Thomas, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tata Sons, remarked, “At Tata, we view the community not merely as a stakeholder but as the cornerstone of our business philosophy, a vision laid out by our founder, Jamsetji Tata. In alignment with this principle, we are privileged to support the people of Sri Lanka, particularly those children impacted by Cyclone Ditwah, as they work to rebuild their lives. We hope this initiative will significantly empower communities as they move forward with renewed hope and confidence.”
The district-wise distribution plan successfully reached a remarkable milestone, assisting over 27,000 students, including more than 8,000 students across 101 schools in Kandy, nearly 5,000 students in 54 schools in Nuwara Eliya, and over 11,000 students in 77 schools in Badulla, along with additional vital support in the Kegalle district.
This initiative emphasizes the collective commitment of the Tata Group, DIMO, and ChildFund to ensure educational continuity, safeguard vulnerable communities, and contribute effectively to the ongoing recovery efforts in Sri Lanka.
