Tsunami affected Kinniya women receive sewing machines

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 April 2005, 14:42 GMT]
Ms Nazirah Hussein, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Sri Lanka Tuesday morning visited Kinniya, predominant Muslim town in the Trincomalee district and inaugurated the distribution of eighty sewing machines to tsunami-affected women at the Kinniya Al-Aqsa College.

Ms Nazirah Hussein, Malaysian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka speaking at the event.

The event was organised by the Kinniya Serendib Foundation (KSF), which was established in 1991 and incorporated by the Act of Parliament No 12. Mr.Abdul Azeez Mohamed Anas donated these sewing machines, sources said.

Mr.K.Uthuman Lebbe, Chairman of the Kinniya peace Committee presided. Serendib Foundation Chairman Mr.M.I.M.Jamaldeen made the welcome speech.

Mr.Gamini Rodrigo, Trincomalee Government Agent participating as the special guest said of about 91 thousand families in the district about 31 thousand have been affected by the tsunami. About eight thousand houses had been washed away by deadly waves.

"We have now entered the phase of reconstructing the damaged houses in the district. But those engaged in the reconstruction work should make it a point to adhere to rules and regulations of the government when building new houses and other structures. Government assistance would be provided to those institutions and individuals," said the Government Agent.

Malaysian High Commissioner Ms Nasirah Hussein (extreme right)handing over document of the donated sewing machine to the first beneficiary. Serendib Foundation Chairman Mr.Jamaldeen is seen in the picture.

Mr.Gamini Rodrigo added that the worst affected area in the tsunami in Trincomalee district was Kinniya division where about six hundred people died in the deadly waves.

Ms Nazirah Hussein, Malaysian High Commissioner speaking in English said her government was willing to assist the people of Kinniya affected by tsunami. Every effort should be made all to rebuild the destroyed coastal areas and to restore normalcy in the lives of affected villagers, she said.

Mr.Walter Berier, Project Co-ordinator of Help of Germany, Major Kaluarachchi of the Sri Lanka Army and Mr.Ananda Liyanapathirana, Assistant Superintendent of Police also spoke. Representatives of international non-governmental organizations engaged in relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Kinniya also participated in the event.

Mr.S.T.Najeem, Secretary General of the Serendib Foundation proposed the vote of thanks.




Guests on the stage, sewing machines seen in front of them.






A section of tsunami affected women in Kinniya who participated in the event.