Thiriyai resettled students get free milk

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 October 2004, 02:48 GMT]
Social Economic Development Organization in Trincomalee (SEDOT) financially supported by Trincomalee Welfare Association-Canada, which is run by Trincomalee expatriates in Canada, inaugurated on the International Children Day Friday the supply of free milk to students studying in Thiriyai Government Tamil Mixed School in Trincomalee district. North East Provincial Director of Education Mr.R.Visahalingam gave the ceremonial first cup of milk to a student during the ceremony.

At the inaugural event of the free distribution of milk to students, Principal of Thiriyai Tamil school Mr.K.Sounthararajah said the school was started in 1947. The school was closed following the exodus of entire population of Tamil residents in 1987 due to war. The school was re-opened in the year 2002 following the ceasefire with only 7 students of resettled families.

Now the number of students has increased to 126 but only three permanent teachers and four volunteer teachers are serving in the school.

Mr.Sountharajah pointed out that no boarding facilities are provided to permanent teachers to stay in the village.

A complaint made at the event that teachers who come to Thiriyai School are subjected to severe check by Sri Lanka security forces stationed in the area, was brought to the notice of the Sri Lanka navy official who participated in the milk distribution event.

SEDOT official Mr.K. Shanmuganathan said from the fund provided by Trincomalee Welfare Association-Canada, SEDOT has selected Thiriyai Tamil School under its Nutritional Food Distribution Project for the free supply of milk.

Provincial Director of Education Mr.Visahalingam said that he would take steps to provide accommodation facilities to teachers serving in the village. He also promised to provide necessary assistance to students and teachers.

Mr.Muthu Radhakirushnan, Assistant Director of Education in charge of Primary Education presented books and sports equipments to primary students. Several others also spoke.

Mr.Muthuradhakrishnan distributing milk while Principal Mr.Sountharajah, SEDOT official Mr.Shanmuganathan are seen

Mr.Vishalingam speaking at the event

Thiriyai is a traditional Tamil village located about 42 km off north of Trincomalee town. About one thousand houses were in the village in 1987 when the entire population of five thousand fled and sought refuge in other areas and in India following the military assault by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA).

Houses were completely destroyed during the war and when IDPs started to return after the ceasefire came into operation, the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) began the Thiriyai resettlement project to provide housing assistance to the resettlers, sources said.