Brother’s Brother Foundation has provided a grant to Solar Village Project to fund the installation of a solar power system at Illipathanna Primary School in the Passara Division of Sri Lanka’s Badulla District. The system will support the school’s current use as a government-designated relief center and temporary clinic following severe flooding and landslides caused by Cyclonic Storm Ditwah in November 2025.

The solar-powered relief system will restore safe, reliable electricity to the site, which has had no grid power since the disaster. The planned installation includes a solar photovoltaic system with battery backup to provide continuous power for lighting, fans, medical equipment, refrigeration for medicines, and phone charging. The project also includes satellite connectivity to restore basic communications for relief coordination and clinical services.

Illipathanna Primary School is currently hosting displaced families overnight and serving community members daily, including children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses. With no electricity available, critical services have been operating without lighting, refrigeration, cooling, or reliable communications. Flooded electrical infrastructure and exposed wiring have created additional safety concerns.

The system funded through this grant is designed to meet both immediate emergency needs and long-term resilience goals. Once installed, the solar power system will allow the site to function safely as a 24-hour relief center and clinic during recovery while remaining in place to support future emergency response and normal school operations.

Background

In late November 2025, Cyclonic Storm Ditwah caused severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka’s central highlands, including the Passara Division. Multiple government schools were converted into emergency shelters and temporary clinics for displaced families.

Following a joint rapid needs assessment conducted by Solar Village Project in coordination with Rise & Shine, World Vision Lanka, and the Passara Divisional Secretariat, Illipathanna Primary School was identified as a high-priority site for urgent energy intervention. At the time of assessment, the school had no grid electricity, minimal generator fuel, and no existing solar or battery backup system.

The installation funded by Brother’s Brother Foundation will provide safe indoor and outdoor lighting, power for essential medical equipment, charging access for displaced families and responders, and restored communications capacity. Procurement and installation are expected to be completed within two weeks of funding receipt.

Through this grant, Brother’s Brother Foundation is supporting a practical energy solution that enables continued relief operations while strengthening preparedness for future disasters in the region.