Indian assistance to children in SLA detention camps in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 March 2009, 14:08 GMT]
Jaffna Government Agent (GA) distributed learning materials donated by the Indian Embassy in Colombo to the children held in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) detention camps in Mirusuvil and Kodikaamam. The Indian Embassy officials who had discussed the arrangement with Jaffna GA earlier had sent the learning materials through Sri Lanka Army, Jaffna secretariat sources said.

Learning materials including 4,000 exercise books were given to the children in Mirusuvil Roaman Catholic Church detention camp and Kodikaamam Government Tamil Mixed School detention camp in Thenmaraadchi.

2,824 exercise books were given to the children in Mirusuvil camp and 1,068 to those in Kodikaamam camp.

The number of the children is expected to rise as more civilians fleeing war are brought to the detention camps.

At present there are 86 in Koappaay camp, 53 in Kodikaamam, 327 in Mirusuvil and 9 in Kurunakar.

Education officials in Jaffna, as per instruction of the government, are taking steps to enable the above children to sit forthcoming examinations.

The children in Mirusuvil and Kodikaamam detention camps attend school in temporary sheds constructed with UNICEF aid.

Those held in Koappaay Teachers’ Training College Hostel camp follow classes in Koappaay Maha Viththiyaalayam located in front of the camp.

Children in Kurunakar detention camp attend St. Charle’s School in Kurunakar.

Preparations are underway to erect temporary sheds in Kaithadi for the children held in Kaithadi detention camp with the help from UNICEF.