Atlas Axillia, Nalanda College Inaugurate Tinkering Lab

By Amara Osei

Atlas Axillia and Nalanda College inaugurated a Tinkering Lab on November 5 inside the Nalanda College Centenary Building in Colombo, according to an official press release.

According to the official press release, the facility at the Nalanda Innovation Center brings hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and arts learning directly into a school environment. The release said it combines scientific concepts with creative exploration and entrepreneurship. It also said students can experiment with robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and design thinking.

The release said that hands-on work connects textbook theory with practical application and lets students develop real-world solutions. Atlas Axillia, the learning-focused subsidiary of Hemas Holdings PLC, leads the initiative with Nalanda College. India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and NITI Aayog provide technical expertise, while the High Commission of India facilitates the partnership, according to the release.

Who backs the initiative?

In a statement, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, tied the project to broader cooperation on education, science and innovation. He said:

“This collaboration reflects our shared aspirations and commitment to empowering our youth through education, science and innovation. India’s Atal Innovation Mission has sparked a nationwide culture of curiosity across thousands of schools in India.

“We are delighted that the partnership between Nalanda College and Atlas will bring technical expertise, specialised curricula and training support from Atal Innovation Mission for the benefit of the young talent in Sri Lanka. We believe this initiative will inspire curious young minds to harness the power of emerging technologies and become agents of innovation.”

What does the Tinkering Lab offer?

The press release said the Nalanda Innovation Center is designed to guide students through every stage of the innovation journey, from developing an initial idea to creating a prototype and presenting a finished concept. The release listed these facilities:

• A DIY Innovation Lab.
• An advanced fabrication lab equipped for 3D printing and digital manufacturing.
• Dedicated spaces for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), arts and agricultural technology.

The release positioned the Tinkering Lab as a step toward preparing Sri Lanka’s youth for a technology-driven future. It described the facility as a resource-rich space where students can experiment, turn ideas into tangible prototypes and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.

How does Atlas Axillia frame the lab?

Ashish Chandra, Group CEO of Hemas Holdings PLC, described the project as a natural evolution of Atlas Axillia’s work with Sri Lankan schoolchildren. He said:

“True empowerment begins with giving our children the tools and confidence to shape their own futures. Atlas Axillia has walked alongside Sri Lankan schoolchildren for generations with foundational learning tools.

“The Tinkering Lab marks a natural evolution of that journey, nurturing curiosity, creativity and resilience. By giving students the freedom to experiment, turn ideas into tangible prototypes and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, this initiative helps cultivate the practical problem-solvers Sri Lanka needs.”

Why does Nalanda see the lab as strategic?

Mahela Jayawardene, a Nalanda College alumnus representing the Nalanda College Centenary Committee, connected the facility to the school’s centenary and the next hundred years. She said:

“As Nalanda marks a century of academic and sporting excellence, our responsibility is to look ahead to what the next hundred years demand.

“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and our students must graduate with capacities in adaptability, teamwork and creative courage. The Tinkering Lab at the Nalanda Innovation Center gives our students a world-class platform to test bold ideas, embrace emerging technologies and learn how to lead in an AI-powered world.”

The press release said the collaboration among educational institutions, industry partners and international bodies broadens access to practical, technology-based education. The release did not disclose enrollment, funding or timetable figures. For the partners, the forward-looking measure is the progression the release describes: using the lab’s robotics, AI, fabrication and AR/VR resources to move from an initial idea to a prototype and a finished concept.