Siri Siduhath Singithi School had risen no further than its foundations until local charity Bridge 2 Sri Lanka stepped in. The original facility was destroyed in the 2004 tsunami and pictured is the opening ceremony for the new one. (0661825)

THE Guernsey flag is flying high over a pre-school in Sri Lanka. Opening the new facility in an area devastated by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami was top of the agenda on a recent trip by Sarah Griffith, founder of charity Bridge 2 Sri Lanka, and a team of local volunteers.

Since the disaster almost four years ago, the school had been temporarily housed in a temple but, with no security, nothing could be stored overnight.

Land had been bought and rudimentary foundations laid but work was slow and, 18 months ago, the head teacher approached Ms Griffith asking for help.

‘It has become our biggest project to date,’ she said. ‘The school was devastated by the tsunami and the children who went there were from desperately poor families.’

Siri Siduhath Singithi School was opened on 9 October with a ceremony including traditional dancers and drummers and, after it had been blessed by monks, two flags were raised – one Sri Lankan and the other from Guernsey.

Sixty pupils aged three to four go to the school and 30 are on a waiting list.

‘The opening was quite emotional. These children are the future of Sri Lanka,’ she said.

Along with a better education, the aim is to give them proper meals and daily vitamins.