Computer technology for youth in Eastern province

By Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Following the devastation caused by the tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2004, a non-profitable organisation named REV was formed by Chandra Wickramasinghe and his wife Patricia Villete Wickramasinghe to help those affected by the tsunami to rebuild their homes and get on with their lives.

What they had in their minds originally was to build ten houses in the affected areas with limited resources.

However, with encouragement from foreign tour operators they were able to build 130 houses in tsunami affected areas like Kathaluwa, Ahangama, Koggala and Boossa in the Southern Province. Their major housing project was in Boossa where they built 51 houses for the homeless.

When the need for housing was finally fulfilled they focused their attention on pre-school education for children. “My wife was very concerned about children affected by the tsunami. Together we build three pre-schools in Kathaluwa, Ahangama and in Boossa. “The schools are absolutely free for children.

“They are maintained with funds from social tourism network and funds we collect from tourists. “ Wickremasinghe said big tour operators like kohni and leclerc, the biggest supermarket chain in France send eighteen tour groups to Sri Lanka every year. They spend three percent of the tour money on running these pre schools.

Wickramasinghe said two big computer centres were set up at Boossa and Ahangama to teach computer science to students in these areas. Both centres can accommodate 340 students, he said.

The idea to set up a computer and Language Training Centre at Pasikuda occurred to Wickramasinghe after the Maalu Maalu Resorts and Spa was set up at Pasikuda.

He was able to secure land for this purpose at Pasikuda through the Provincial Council. Chief Minister of the Eastern Province S. Chandrakanthan and the Deputy Minister Resettlement V. Muralitharan were helpful in securing the land.

A sum of Rs. 6 million had been spent on setting up the computer and language training centre along with equipment and furniture. “The computer education is absolutely free for the children.” he said.

Three types of syllabuses are available at the training centre for children between the age groups of 8-12 years, 9-16 years and 16-18 years and for those who complete the Advanced Level examination. The duration of the course is six months which would otherwise cost a student Rs. 25,000-30,000 at a private institution. School leavers can attend day time classes whereas other students can attend afternoon and evening classes. Special classes will be held on Saturdays and Sundays to facilitate the study program. Certificates would be awarded to those who complete the course.

“We hope to get international recognition for these certificates.”

Around 200 students have registered for the study program. “What we intend is to build up a fund to run this institution.

We hope to channel 50 cents (dollars) a day from each occupied room at Maalu Maalu and the monies will be credited to a separate fund, he said.

At the inauguration of the R.e. V Computer and Language Training Centre at Kalkudah last week the Chairman of the Maalu Maalu Resorts and Spas, Chandra Wicremasinghe said students should make use of the computer lessons that are provided free of charge.

He said the time has now come to rebuild the country following the conclusion of the war after many decades.

The Principal of the Kalkudah Vidyalaya, Edayarajah said the opening of a computer centre was a remarkable chapter as students don’t have a facility to learn IT technology at Pasikuda.

The Manager of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Rumy Jauffer said corporate social responsibility was a new concept where profits of an organisation was re-invested in a local communities to improve living standards.

He said another school will be set up to train Human Resource personnel for the thirteen new hotels that will come up in Passekudah area.

The Deputy Minister Re-settlement V. Muralitharan said whilst on a flight to Batticaloa from Colombo Chandra Wickramasinghe mentioned his plan to build the Maalu Maalu restaurant and Spa within a period of ten months - the hotel was built.

As part of a charitable venture he has spent Rs. 7 million to set up a computer centre. Ninety percent of unemployed persons in Pasikuda have been found jobs at the Maalu Maalu hotel. They now speak both English and Sinhala, he said.

The Minister said the Government has allocated funds for development of road infrastructure and building of bridges.

Within a period of five years the entire Pasikuda area will be developed into a top tourist hub.

Student Sri Murugarajah Sintujah who spoke at the opening ceremony said that Kalkudah in the past was affected by Tsunami.

But now we have been provided with an opportunity to undergo computer studies and develop our skills. We are very much grateful to the Maalu Maalu hotel.

The Coordinating Secretary to the Minister of National Languages and Social Integration W.J. Willegoda said that it was commendable that a Computer Training Centre has been provided to the poor children in the area who had to face the wrath of tsunami almost six years ago. The commendable aspect was that fees will not be levied from students who attend the computer centre.