Vocational Training Center opened in Muttur

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 February 2005, 02:42 GMT]
The Social Development Centre (SDC) headquartered in Killinochchi, opened the first vocational training centre (VTC) at Navaratnapuram, Sampoor in the Liberation Tigers controlled Muttur east, south of the Trincomalee district with the assistance of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) Wednesday morning. Colonel Sornam, Trincomalee district military commander ceremonially declared open the main building of VTC, sources in Muttur said.

Ms Ammani

Sampoor vocational training centre is first in the east and sixth in the northeast province.

Mr.S.Elilan, LTTE Trincomalee district political head hoisted the Thamileelam national flag. Ms Ammani, SDS co-ordinator and Mr.Ramesh, Thamileelam propaganda head lit the traditional oil lamp. Ms Ushananthini, mother of LTTE martyr lit the flame of sacrifice.

Mr.S.Ganeshwaran, Manager and the Secretary of the SDC headquarters said at the opening event that SDC came into existence in 1996 with a mission to provide basic facilities, employment opportunity and educational facilities to the war affected people.

SDC headquarters Manager and Secretary Mr.Ganeshwaran

Later the SDC formulated a scheme to provide temporary houses to the war victims. The SDC is currently constructing permanent houses to the victims. SDC has been running five VTCs in the northern province, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Killinochi, Mannar and Vavuniya, SDC officials said.

SDC is currently not only providing vocational training such as sewing but also finding employment for those trained in VTCs. Most of those trained in the SDC vocational training centres have found employment, Mr.Ganeshwaran said

He added that VTC opened in Sampoor would provide training in sewing to thirty girls who are unemployed. They would also be given training to repair sewing machines.

Ms Karonja

He further said the SDC is to launch a tanning factory in Mullaitivu with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at an estimated cost of four million rupees during the first part of next month.

Ms Ammani, Co-ordinator of the SDC headquarters inaugurated the sewing training after ceremonial opening of the VTC hall. Mr.Elilan, Ms Kaaronja, LTTE Trincomalee district women political wing Mr.S.Tharmalingam, and Mr.S.Ambiakapakan, Principal of Koonitheivu Navalar Vidiyalayam also spoke.



(L-R) Mr.Ramesh, Fr.Satyaraj, Colonel Sornam, Mr.Elilan at the event

Rev. A.O.G.Satyaraj unveiling nameboard

Colonel Sornam opens the VTC building