Refugee children back in school

by P. Krishnaswamy & Vavuniya Spl.Corr.

Schools will start tomorrow in two makeshift buildings for children of families evacuated from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, now housed in the transit centre at Nelukulam, the Menik Farm welfare centre in Chettikulam, government sources said.

Of the total 930 families comprising 2500 persons housed in these camps, 700 are schoolgoing children whose education was disrupted due to displacement of families.

There were 16 school teachers among the evacuee families and they will be designated to the two schools.

The Education Ministry which had provided funds needed well in advance for the makeshift buildings, school furniture, uniforms to the students and other contingencies, had also given the necessary instructions to the Vavuniya Zonal Director of Education in the matter, sources said.

Meanwhile, office of the Northern Province Governor housed at the Vavuniya Government Circuit Bungalow along the Vavuniya-Mannar Road started functioning from last Tuesday.

The inauguration was attended by Governor Sarath Chandra Dela, Vanni parliamentarians, PC Ministry Secretary S. Wijeyalakshimi, Chief Secretary R. Rengaraja, Vavuniya Divisional Secretary and other senior government officials and people's representatives.

Speaking at the function Governor Dela said that his office started in Vavuniya will primarily focus on implementing development programs in the five districts of Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna under the "Vadakke Vasantham" (Spring time for the North) program under "Mahinda Chintanaya". As prelude to impledmentation of the development programs, the welfare of the displaced people would be addressed adequately, including their rehabilitation and resettlement, the Governor said, adding that assistance from the international community will be obtained for some of the major programs.

The people of the region could now go to the Vavuniya office on two days a week, instead of going to Trincomalee, for having their day to day problems sorted out, the Governor said.

The 61st Independence Day will be celebrated on February 4 at the Sri Dalada Vihara in the Madukanda police area in Vavuniya under the auspices of the civil defence forces and attended by senior government officials, prominent citizens and people's representatives.