NECORD funded Girls' Hostel opens in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 February 2004, 15:40 GMT]
A two-storied girl hostel constructed in Trincomalee Methodist Girls College at a cost of about 5 million rupees allocated by the North East Community Restoration Development (NECORD) project, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was declared open Monday by the Trincomalee district former parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan.

Mr.Sampanthan opening the new girls hostel in Trincomalee Methodist Girls College while Mr.Thurairetnasingham and NECORD Project Director Mr.Lankanesaon look on

NECORD District Deputy Director Mr.R. Umakanthan, the chief guest to the event, unveiled the plaque of the new building.

The hostel provides accommodation to about hundred girl students who come from backward villages in the Trincomalee district to obtain higher education in Trincomalee town school, NECORD sources said.

Trincomalee zonal Director of Education Mr.K.Thilakaretnam said rural students who have lost their parents are the beneficiaries of the hostel in the Methodist Girls College.

Mr.Sampanthan and former national list parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham along with education officials paid tribute to the services of the NECORD and its Project Director Mr.Lankaneson for providing infrastructure facilities to schools in rural areas in the war-ravaged northeast province especially in Trincomalee district.

School students sing Welcome song

NECORD Project Director Mr.Lankaneson said, "I have seen students in rural schools studying in buildings which have no roofs over their heads. They use tree shades as classroom. The classrooms move as the shades shift with the sun. This situation should not continue in the northeast anymore. NECORD will do its best to provide urgent infrastructure facilities to develop their education," said Mr.Lankaneson.

Mr.Lankaneson added that NECORD has given first priority to the development of education in the eight districts of the northeast province.

Mr.Lankaneson assured the college authorities that NECORD would provide all furnitures and other materials to the newly opened girl hostel.



A scene from dance by college students



Mr. Sampanthan said schools in Trincomalee district especially in rural areas have excelled in the Year 5 scholarship examination. Every opportunity should be provided to rural students who can excel in their studies and able to compete with their urban counterparts.

College Principal Ms Urohinidevi Jothinathan gave the welcome address. Secretary of the School Development Society Mr.G.Kailayanathan proposed vote of thanks.



NECORD Project Director Mr.Lankaneson lighting the traditional oil lamp while (L-R) College Principal Ms Urohinidevi Jothinathan, former parliamentarians Mr.Sampanthan, K.Thurairatnasingham, NECORD District deputy Director Mr.Umakanthan and Trincomalee zonal Director of Education Mr.K.Thilakaretnam are seen