European Parliament MP opens free English centre in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 07 February 2005, 01:20 GMT]
Mr. Robert Evans, MP of European Parliament declared open a free English resource and language centre in Jaffna Sunday evening. The MP is on a fact finding mission to Sri Lanka regarding the equitable distribution of international Tsunami aid in the country. The centre, managed by Tamil Information Technology Association (TITA ), will offer free courses for underprivileged children in Jaffna. Mr. C. Ilamparithy, head of Liberation Tigers political division for Jaffna, opened the centre’s multimedia lab and the lecture hall.

Underprivileged children who enrolled for the course were given free exercise books at the function.

The centre is financially sponsored by Sri Kanaga Thurkai Aman Temple Trust (SKTATT ) is a Hindu temple trust and a registered charity in the United Kingdom.

“Opening of this type of free centres is a classic example of how the Sri Lankan expatriates in UK could help their nation by partnering with local NGOs and in this regard SKTATT’s projects are commendable”, Mr.Robert said addressing the function.

“TITA is working in the North East since 2000 and we are happy to note that this is their 10th free centre and 20th centre, under their 100-Rural Information Technology Centres project”, Mr. Ilamparithi said.

The opening ceremony started with observing silence for the victims of Tsunami.



“In 2000 there was a great vacuum in information technology and computer facilities in the Northeast. Computers were banned there by the Sri Lankan government. Engineers from Peradeniya and Moratuwa Universities and other volunteers in the IT field gave birth to TITA. We embarked on a three phase strategy, initially by conducting IT awareness seminars, workshops in the Northeast and in the Up Country. We were successful in conducting more than 200 such seminars and workshops in 2 years solely with the help of expatriates and our volunteer base of around 500 members. In the Second phase we have opened 20 Rural IT centres in the Northeast and in the Up country, under our Hundred Rural IT Centres Project” ' said Chairman, TITA, Mr. T. Ravishankar.

Mr. S. Navaratnam ( Vice Chairman, SKTATT ), Mr. Thaya Idaikkaadaar ( councillor, Harrow, UK) and Mr. Skandadeva ( SKTATT ) also took part in the function.








Ten students who excelled in the examination conducted by TITA/SKTATT Free Computer Training Centre Jaffna were awarded special Prizes by Mr.Robert Evans, Mr.C.Ilamparithi and Mr.Thaya Idaikkaadaar.

“Our Temple has set an example in the UK by sending 1/3 of the revenue to the deserving people in Sri Lanka and it is happy to witness that it is effectively and efficiently utilised by our local partner TITA”, Vice Chairman of SKTATT, Mr. S. Navaratnam said.

Mr. Suthakaran, of Times Travels donated 100,000 rupees for the Free Engish Centre to add further resources to the Multimedia Lab, to Mr.M.Arulkumaran, TITA Jaffna Coordinator.

Robert Evans represents the London Region in the European Parliament. Robert had previously been the MEP for the London North West constituency, made up of the London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon, from 1994 - 1999.

Mr Evans is a full member on the Transport and Tourism Committee and also sits on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament. Previous to this, he was Vice-Chair on the Citizens Rights, Justice and Home Affairs Committee and was also a member of the Development and Cooperation Committee and the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy Committee.

External Links:

MEP:

Robert Evans Biography