TRO takes over Trinco Children's Shelter

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 October 2004, 15:30 GMT]
The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) headquartered in Killinochchi in Vanni region Saturday took over the administration of "Anbu Illam," a leading children home located along Central Road in the east port town on the orders of Trincomalee Magistrate Mr.M.Ganesharajah, Trinco sources said. Provincial Commissioner of Probation and Child Care earlier recommended to the Judge that Members of the Board of Directors appointed by the TRO to run the institution.

TRO Children Homes' Division Director Mr.S.Ravi

Mr.S.Ravi, Director in charge of children homes in the northeast province under the TRO and members of the Board of Directors were present at the take over event, sources said.

Mr.V.Kandasamy, Trincomalee district Porbation and Child Care Officer officially handed over the administration of the institution to the TRO on behalf of the North East Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care.

Mr.Kandasamy addressing the new administration said that TRO should take immediate steps ensure that necessary conselling provided to the children so that any psychological impact of the conduct of the past adminstration's is identified and remedies sought. He also asked the administration to institute procedures so that healthy food and other necessary facilities are provided as a routine matter to children now staying in the home.

Mr.C.Kumarakuruparan, Treasurer of the newly formed administration of the Anbu Illam said the number of children in the institution has gone down to about 85 from 125.

(L-R) Members of Abu Illam Board of Directors Ms Sithithevi Pathmanathan (President), Ms Rajeswari Thedchanamoorthy ( Secretary), Ms Baleswary Nallaretnasingham, Mr.Kumarakuruparan ( Treasurer), Mr.Ravi, Mr.K.Thurairasa

Members of the Board of Directors are: Ms Siththithevi Pathmanathan (President), Mr.K.Mathavarajah (Vice President), Ms Rajeswary Thedchanamoorthy (Secretary), Mr.A.Parasuraman (Assistant Secretary), Mr.C.Kumarakuruparan (Treasurer). Messrs K.Thurairajah, Mr.K.Nadarajah, Mr.M.Ravindrakumar, Ms. Baleswary Nallaretnasingham and Ms Subashini Chitravelu are the other members of the Board.

Trincomalee Anbu Illam is the seventeenth children home, which comes under the TRO. Kurukulam, Siruvar Illam, Punitha Poomi, Gandhi Nilayam and Kulanthaikal Illam in Killinochchi district, Barathi Nilayam, Iniya Vaalvu Illam in Mullaitivu district and Aravalee Illam, Navalar Illam, Kathiroli Illam, Vipulananda Illam, Manickavasagar Illam, Arumuga Navalar Illam, Vivekananda Illam, Thirugnanasambandar Illam and Swami Natarajanandar Illam of Batticaloa district are now run by the TRO, sources said.



Trincomalee District Probation and Child Care Officer Mr.V.Kandasamy making handing over speech in the visitors hall of Anbu Illam (L-R) Board members Mr.A.Parasuraman and Mr.Nadarajah also seen



Anbu Illam was founded by Mr.S.Sutheralingam, a retired village level officer (Grama Niladhari) in 1985 to give shelter to orphans who have lost their parents in the military operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army in the Trincomalee district. He as a one-man mission rescued several children who sought refuge in the jungles in Muttur east villages to evade military persecution and brought them to Trincomalee town and founded the Anbu Illam. Mr.Suntheralingam ran the children home with the financial assistance provided by several local and international agencies and philanthropists.

However, in the middle part of 2004 he was arrested by the Trincomalee Police on complaints made by several children in the institution alleging sexual abuse. He is currently in remand on the orders of Trincomalee Magistrate. The Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care took immediate steps to hand over the administration to the TRO to avoid breakdown in the services provided to children now staying in the home, sources said.