Missing monk found

The Buddhist monk in the Ampara district who went missing since Nov 11 evening, had been found moments ago. Police said that the monk Ven. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri thera was found kept inside a cave in the jungle.

Courtesy: Dailymirror

2 Civil Security personnel, one Policeman killed by LTTE gunmen - Ampara

2 Civil security personnel and a Policeman who were providing security to paddy farmers at Kohilaela area, Tampitiya in the Ampara District were shot dead by LTTE gunmen today (Nov 7) at around 1.40p.m.

The terrorists hiding in distance have opened indiscriminate gun fire at the security personnel and fled the area, security sources said. One CSF guard also received injuries and was admitted to the Mahaoya Hospital, MCNS sources said.

Police Special Task Force (STF) troopers are now deployed in the area and on pursuit of the assailants, the sources further said.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Police Commandos thwart terror infiltration bid - Ampara

Police Special Task Force (STF) commandos thwarted an LTTE infiltration bid at Kalawanchikudi in Ampara district this morning (Sept 29).

According to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) an STF patrol has detected a suspicious boat moving in the Kodamadhu lagoon around 5 AM. When the STF personnel challenged the persons on the boat, they have opened fire at troops. STF troops effectively overpowered the terrorists and destroyed the boat.

During the subsequent search, STF troops found two bodies of slain LTTE cadres, along with one T-56 riffle, two hand grenades, one claymore mine, one radio antenna, ammo, LTTE uniforms, explosives and other military gear.

Police conduct further investigations.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

UNICEF completes fourth school in Ampara

The UNICEF Monday (September 01), announced the completion of construction of the fourth school in the Tsunami affected Ampara District.

The A/K Al- Badhur Vidyalam constructed under an estimated coat of Rs.44.5 million is to accommodate 130 school children and staff, UNICEF officials stated in a communiqu‚ released.

This follows the completion of four other schools in the area since early January: A/K AL- Hithaya School (Pottuvil), A/K Pallakuda Palavinayagar Vidyalam (Thirukkovil) and A/K Thirupathi GTMS (Thandiyadi Komari).

Following is the press release issued by the UNICEF on 01st Sep, 2008

Today 130 children and staff of A/K Al- Badhur Vidyalam will at last move into a brand new school, having being compelled to pursue their learning activities in temporary shelter following the 2004 tsunami. AL-Badhur is the fourth school completed by UNICEF in the Ampara District this year and cost Rs44.5million.

Earlier this year, the newly constructed A/K AL- Hithaya School (Pottuvil), A/K Pallakuda Palavinayagar Vidyalam (Thirukkovil) and A/K Thirupathi GTMS (Thandiyadi Komari) were handed over by UNICEF to the Region’s Zonal Directors of Education.

“It is a joyous occasion. Ever since the tsunami, my children and relatives have longed for a proper learning environment,” said Mr. Mr. A.S.M. Rafeek, Principal, who has more than 31 years of service as a teacher. “We were also saddened by the loss two children to the tsunami - a boy and girl of six and seven years - and since January 2005, the ’school’ was in temporary shelters at the mosque premises. There were no toilets and no water except for the mosque well.”

Responding to a request from the Ministry of Education, UNICEF committed to build 21 schools to replace facilities damaged or destroyed by the tsunami. All 21 schools have been completed and are now fully functioning. In addition, UNICEF agreed to a request by the Ministry of Education to support the construction of 11 additional schools, bringing the total of UNICEF’s school reconstruction programme of tsunami-affected schools to thirty-two.

“Prior to the tsunami, our Primary School, which caters to children from Grades 1-5, had two small buildings, which had one hall where eight classes were conducted,” said Mr. Rafeek. “Today we have a Computer Room, Science Lab, 10-Class Rooms, Canteen, Teachers Rest Room, Disabled Children room, Library, Principal’s Office, and two toilets for boys and girls.”

Said UNICEF’s Chief of Education, Ita Sheehy: “A unique feature of the school recovery programme is the child-friendly school design concept developed by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF which is being implemented throughout all the schools. It focuses on the creation of learning spaces which foster participation and stimulate the intellectual, social and physical development of children.”

(UNICEF works in over 150 countries to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS.

UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.)

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Donors contribute to a Water Project in Ampara

A water distribution project for the Ampara Districts of the Eastern Province is to get underway with the assistance of United States Agency for International Development Agency (USAID) and the international relief organization AmeriCares.

A Memorandum of Understanding with regard to the project was signed between the two organizations on June 17.

The completed project will serve an estimated 2,400 inhabitants in the Arugam Bay area by distributing clean and safe drinking water directly to the people.

Immediately following the 2004 tsunami the Government identified a number of sectors and specific projects in critical need of donor assistance and funding. One of the identified human health needs was the challenge of providing safe drinking water for several eastern region communities, including the Arugam Bay area. The wells serving this community were mostly open, which had been overtopped and polluted by the large waves when they hit the eastern shore.

The financial grant of one million US dollar provided by AmeriCares will be added to USAID’s already committed 6 million US dollar investment in wells, transmission lines, treatment plant and a large elevated storage tank to assure new safe water sources for the beneficiary community.

Courtesy: Government Information Department