Counselling session for war victims in Trinco

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 March 2001, 17:36 GMT]
A group of war victims, mainly villagers of the Trincomalee district who had lost their limbs and were mentally affected, attended a one-day counselling program held by the Family Rehabilitation Center (FPC). The counselling program was held at Trincomalee New Silver Star Hotel on Wednesday. A FRC spokesman said that his organisation is engaged in conducting training and rehabilitation programs and medical clinics in the war-torn areas in the island.

A fisherman who lost both hands in a bomb explosion in the Pulmoddai sea was one of those who attended the seminar. Many victims came to the workshop in crutches and wheel chairs, said sources.

The main purpose of the workshop was to assist those affected by the armed conflict who are suffering from physical and /or psychological distress with medical attention, physiotherapy, counselling and other relevant services, the FRC spokesman said.

Psychiatrist Dr. Gayathri Fernando and occupational therapist Ms.Thamara Wijetunge were the specialists from the FPC headquarters who conducted the counselling program.

The FRC spokesman said: "Our main aim is to provide holistic care to those affected by armed conflict in all areas of Sri Lanka irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or political ideology."

"The armed conflict in Sri Lanka has created a large displaced population, large numbers of torture and bomb blast survivors. The physical and mental distress of the victims is addressed through medical treatment, physiotherapy, counselling, group therapy and stress management", he added.