About Us – Empowering Rural Sri Lanka for a Brighter Future

Appé Lanka is a transformative rural development initiative designed to uplift the Northern province in Sri Lanka, beginning with Poonakary—a region that bore the scars of a 30-year war. We are committed to restoring hope, providing sustainable solutions, and empowering communities that have been marginalized for decades.

Located in the Kilinochchi District, Poonakary is home to over 20,000 residents across 4,392 km², with a pristine coastline stretching along the west and the southern edge of the Jaffna lagoon. At Appé Lanka, we aim to bring positive change to this vibrant community by addressing critical needs in education, infrastructure, energy, water, and livelihood development.

Our Mission

Appé Lanka’s mission is to empower Poonakary and other rural areas by providing the essential resources needed for communities to thrive. Through innovative programs, we aim to:

• Improve access to clean water for better health and productivity.
• Provide renewable energy solutions to villages.
• Foster education and skill development.
• Enhance livelihoods for sustainable income generation.
• Promote peace and unity through arts and sports.
• Combat food insecurity

Key Initiatives

01. Access to Clean Water 

In Poonakary, clean water is scarce, and residents rely on water bowsers for supply. Through our “Let Them Bloom: Give Them Water” project, we’ve installed 28 Reverse Osmosis Plants in schools, ensuring that children can learn in a healthier environment.

Renewable Energy for Poonakary Appé Lanka is working to power up Poonakary through solar energy. Already, 28 homes are powered with solar home systems, and 1,000 more homes are set to benefit. By the end of 2030, we plan to reach 65 additional homes in the next village cluster.

02. Education Mobility Program 

We believe no child should miss out on an education because of distance. Through our “Just Give a Child a Bicycle” program, we’ve provided 600 bicycles to students in Poonakary, enabling them to attend school regularly. Our goal is to support 1,500 students in Poonakary and surrounding areas, including Kandavalai, Karachchi, and Pachchilaipalli.

03. English and Sinhala Education 

Appé Lanka is bridging the language gap with our “English for All by Appé Lanka” initiative. We offer specially designed AV modules to teach English to schoolchildren. This program is designed to equip the next generation with the language skills they need to succeed in today’s globalized world.

04. Livelihood Development and Employment Training 

Sustainable livelihoods are essential for the growth of any community. Appé Lanka is actively developing skill-building programs in IT, English, and home gardening, with guaranteed employment for 500 youth in Poonakary over the next decades.

05. Peace and Reconciliation Through Sports and Arts 

Building unity is at the heart of Appé Lanka’s mission. Our “Peace and Reconciliation Through Sports and Arts” programs have already brought together communities through Music, Sports, Drama, and Art. These initiatives are promoting understanding and collaboration among diverse groups, fostering long-lasting peace in the region.

Our Vision

At Appé Lanka, our vision is to create a thriving community where:

• Empowered people—physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually—can live with dignity and purpose.
• A skilled, disciplined, and productive workforce drives economic and social growth.
• Trust, acceptance, and good governance prevail in every aspect of life.
• Poonakary and surrounding regions become models of development for all Sri Lankans to be proud of.