Second model village opened in Amparai

[TamilNet, Monday, 28 February 2005, 01:00 GMT]
A second model village in Kavadapaddi, a village located in Aalaiyadivembu Division, Amparai district, containing 51 houses, a preschool, a small health office and amenities for establishing small scale businesses was ceremonially opened Saturday 4.30 pm presided by Director of Amparai district Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), an NGO registered with Government of Sri Lanka and working exclusively in the NorthEast, sources said.

Thirukkovil Assistant District Secretary, S Karan, Aalaiyadivembu Administrative officer of District Secretariat, Grama Sevakas, Commander of Kannakipuram Commander of Special Task Force (STF), I.P Piyananda, Co-ordinator for TRO in Amparai, K Selvarajah, Representatives of Liberation Tigers, and public participated in the event.

Commander Piyananda unveiled the name board of the Model Village.

Karan speaking during opening event said: "Amparai district has been the worst affected by tsunami. Recognizing this and to have allocated the first two village settlements to the devastated villages in this district clearly illustrates the administrative ability of the TRO.

The model village will be expanded to have accomodations for a total of 200 families as part of continuing work in Kavadapaddi, sources said. More than 1300 families are to be provided with accommodation within the eight model village plan being implemented by the TRO, sources said.

"As one of the key officials associated with relief and resettlement issues I can tell you that TRO staff were the first to respond to the residents who were stripped of their belonging s and who lost members of their families. We are grateful for TRO's efforts," said Karan.

He handed over funds to assist residents to start small businesses to the Reverend Sisters of the Christian Parish to be given to the President of the Women's Organization of Kavadapaddi resettlement.

Guests then distributed the House Ownership certificates to residents and had a tour around the houses.

The event concluded with vote of thanks from Ms Kavia an official with the TRO.

Although there is uneasy cohabitance of Tamil relief organizations and the STF soldiers, attempts are being made to ease tension by both sides, sources said.

Sinhala families affected by tsunami in Amparai coastal areas mainly in Hambantota are being provided permanent houses with State funding. Muslim members of parliament are looking after the interests of affected muslim families, according to civil sources.