'Canadian Tamil Village' foundation stone laid

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 January 2008, 05:03 GMT]
The foundation stone laying ceremony for a project costing $625K to build 250 houses and associated village infrastructure for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Raasapuram, Mulankaavil in Kilinochchi district was held Thursday at 12:45 p.m., sources from Kilinochchi said. The foundation stone was laid by the Government Agent (GA) of Kilinochchi District Mr. Vethanayakam, and Mr. Thangan, Deputy Head of Political Division.

The project is being implemented by the Pooneryn–Mullankaavil Development Organization (PMDO). The new village is named “Canada Thamiloor" (Village), and the funds are being provided by Canadian Tamils collected under the banner "Nivaranam," led by popular artist Senthil Kumaran, according to sources.

The project is expected to benefit 1500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and in addition to the houses, access roads, a pre school, rest rooms, water supply and a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) for families will be constructed as part of the effort.

The beneficiaries have been living in Welfare Camps for the past 15 years.

Each family will also receive one acre of land to farm to ensure sustainable livelihoods, administrators of the project said.

The Government Agent (GA) of the Kilinochchi District Mr. Vethanayakam, Father Justin (Mulankavil Priest) and Mr. Rameswaran (Hindu Priest) lit the traditional lamp.