Self-employment project launched for Trinco war, tsunami victims

[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 April 2005, 19:59 GMT]
Trincomalee Sri Satya Seva Samithi Centre (SSSSC) has launched a self employment-generating project for people affected by the two-decade-old war and tsunami in the Trincomalee district. In the first phase the centre handed over fishing gear, sewing machines, water pumps and school uniforms to the value of 1.1 million rupees.

Srimath Athmaganandaji inaugurates the project.

Srimath Swami Athmaganandaji Maharaj, Head of Sri Ramakrishna Mission in Sri Lanka inaugurated the project at an event held in Trincomalee Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College Saturday evening.

Mr.N.Puhendran, Trincomalee SSSSC President presided. At the commencement of the event Sri Athmaganandaji and other guests were taken to the venue in a procession with Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College band in attendance. The event coincided with the Spiritual Resurgence Festival of the Sai Centre, sources said.

Srimath Athmaganandaji inaugurates the project.

Fishing gear and other implements were given to 34 fishermen of Veeranagar, a coastal suburb of Trincomalee who lost all their belongings in tsunami on a recommendation by Veeranagar Annai Fisheries Co-operative society. Each fisherman was given a package consisting fishing line, tuna hooks, swivels, packing twine ropes and pressurized lanterns valued at about 17,000 rupees. The total amount was Rs: 599,590. Eight fishermen were given Rs: 120,000 at the rate of Rs: 15,000 to repair their outboard motors damaged in tsunami on the recommendation of Vivekananda Fisheries Co-op Society in Trincomalee, the sources said.

Twenty-four women from the divisional secretariat divisions of Verugal, Kuchchaveli, Thampalakamam and Trincomalee Town and Gravets were given sewing machines on the recommendation of respective Divisional Secretary to generate self-employment. The entire cost was Rs: 183,760, the sources said.

sewing machines donated to women.

Motors, water pumps, lanterns given to beneficiaries.

Water pumps and accessories were handed over to 5 rural schools, Thiriyai Maha Vidiyalayam, Nilaveli Maha Vidiyalayam, Mullipothana Vigneswara Vidiyalayam, Killiveddi Barathi Vidiyalayam and Kanguvely Agsthiar Vidiyalayam to supply drinking water to students. The entire cost was Rs: 108,656, according to the sources.

A group of six farmers of Verugal division was provided with a water pump for highland cultivation. Ms.N.Thangamuthu, a mother of seven and also the breadwinner of the family in Kuchchaveli division was given a water pump to cultivate highland as she has lost all her belongings in tsunami, the sources said.

About seven hundred students of five rural schools in Thampalakamam, Nochchikulam, Thiriyai, Kuchchaveli and Gomarankadawela were provided with school uniform at a cost of Rs: 81.745, the sources said.




A section of people attended the inaugural event of self-employment project of Trincomalee Sai Center.