Sports meet for war affected children held in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 September 2003, 14:11 GMT]
The North East Provincial Department of Social Services (NEPDSS) Saturday evening conducted a sports meet for the children maintained by registered Children's Homes in the Trincomalee district. Such sports meets to inmates of children's homes are held with a view to "making the [children] self confident and moulding them to fit into the society" and ultimately "to instill in their minds that they are the leaders of tomorrow," said the Provincial Director of Social Services, Ms. N.R. Ranjini, addressing the gathering at the event.

Participating as the chief guest, Ms Ranjini said that in the Northeast province at present about 7000 children who have lost their parents in war and in other tragedies are given shelter in the registered children's homes under her department.

Most of the children who participated in the sports meet are orphans as their father or mother had died in the war and other related tragedies, an official of the Social Services Department said. Inmates of only seven registered children's homes in the Trincomalee district participated in the sports meet conducted at Trincomalee St.Joseph's College grounds.

NEPDSS sources say more children affected by war and other factors are given shelter in other homes, which have not been registered with them.

District level sports meet for inmates of children's homes are held throughout the country in connection with the International Children Day to be observed shortly.

The children who obtain first three places at district level will participate at provincial level meets. National level children homes' sports meet will be held later, sources said

The Provincial Director further said that children's homes should be run with the noble aim of helping the discarded children as useful citizens of the country. " We do not want children's homes which earn money for selfish purposes and nefarious activities," said the Director.

Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretary Mr. K.S.Jeyachchandran and Trincomalee town Divisional Secretary Mr.S.Arumainayakam also spoke. Trincomalee Probation Officer Mr. S.Kanthasamy presided over the event.



One of the children with the certificate he received for winning an event at the sports meet




Sivananda Thapovanam Childrens' Home inmates




A section of the inmates of children's homes that participated in the sports meet




NE Provincial Director of Social Services Ms N.R.Ranjini hands over the champion cup to Sivananda Thapovanam Children's Home which emerged champions in boys section.