The inauguration of a newly reconstructed school building at Vakarai in eastern Sri Lanka today (22 September) funded by the European Union is ushering in a new era of hope to the many students in the area.
The reconstruction of the school, Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam, 62 kms from the eastern city of Batticoloa, was carried out by IOM and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, as part of a much wider EUR 147 million EU tsunami recovery aid programme.
"Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya was shifted to a safer area after the tsunami and was functioning in semi-permanent learning facilities until today when the EU, through IOM, completed the construction of a completely new school," said the Minister of Education Hon. Susil Premajayantha. "I have no doubt that the newly built modernized school will stand out as our strength and inspiration in overcoming challenges of the tsunami - a model school for the future," he added.
The EUR 1.88 million school reconstruction comprised permanent buildings for the primary and secondary sections; an assembly hall; a library; science, computer, vocational and technology laboratories; administration offices; a language centre; aesthetics rooms, and a canteen. It will make the school the largest primary and secondary education facility in eastern Sri Lanka with more than 800 students benefitting from its modern facilities.
The government contributed the furniture and equipment for the school buildings worth nearly EUR 59,000.
"It is with great pleasure that the Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam is gifted to present and future students from the generous people of Europe as a token of their long standing friendship with Sri Lanka," said Bernard Savage, Ambassador to the Delegation of the European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
"This reconstruction work on one of the largest schools in the Eastern Province is a commendable example of international cooperation, together with the participation of government, non-government and community organizations irrespective of ethnic or religious differences," Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his message to celebrate the opening.
For more information, please contact Sandali Wijayatilake, EU Commission, Sri Lanka, Tel: +94 112674413 (ext 108) or Stacey Winston, IOM Sri Lanka, Tel: 94 1125325300, email: swinston@iom.int