FCE completes temple construction with Norwegian support

The Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE), which has been promoting coexistence among the communities in the districts of Ampara, Batticaloa, and Tincomalee since 2002, has recently completed construction on six religious sites.

The FCE programme involves reconstructing religious sites in Ampara District that have been damaged or destroyed by the tsunami. The programme includes plans to construct eleven buildings: four Hindu temples, four mosques, two churches, and one Buddhist temple. Three mosques (in Akkaraipattu, Nintavur, and Kalmunai), two Hindu temples (in Thirukkovil and Karaitivu), and a church in Thirukkovil have already been constructed.

The FCE handed over the newest building, Karaitivu Kalikovil temple, to the temple trustees at a function held in Karaitivu. Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative, Oliver Watson, was present at this ceremony, along with S. Ramakrishnan (Karaitivu Divisional Secretary) and FCE representatives Dinidu Endaragala (Programme Director), I.M. Ibrahim (District Coordinator), Engineer Aakil, and Technician Saloofeen. Religious leaders from the Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian communities also graced this occasion.

The FCE religious sites reconstruction project is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Karaitivu Kalikovil temple was constructed at a cost of 1.8 million rupees.

Buildings previously constructed by the FCE have already been handed over, and the balance will be handed over when the remaining buildings have been completed.

German Friendship Primary School Constructed

The Centre for East Lanka Social Service (CELSS) has completed the German Friendship Primary School at Arasadiththottam, Nintavur, with funds obtained from the HELP Alliance of Germany.

The school was built at a cost of 9 Million rupees and consists of two buildings: a two-story block of classrooms for students learning from grades one through five and an administrative block with the Principal’s Office and adjoining computer unit. The CELSS, which took only three months to complete the construction of the school, organised a function to hand over the keys of the building to the Zonal Director of Education.

A three member German delegation, led by Rita Diop, from Help Alliance attended the function, and the Deputy Minister of Subsidiary Agricultural Crops Development, M.T. Hassen Ali, and Deputy Minister of Scientific Affairs, Faizal Cassim, were also present as guests.

The Deputy Minister for Science and Technology cut the ribbon and ceremoniously declared the school open. Ms. Rita Diop, Chairperson for the function, handed over the keys of the building to the Kalmunai Deputy Director of Zonal Education, Mrs. Anandarajah.

At the end of the ceremony, mementos were awarded to all those who assisted in the construction.

South Eastern University Centre for Gender Studies is Historic - Minister Ashraff [Thinakaran]

Thinakaran, Wednesday 11 April 2007

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Tamil daily newspaper, Thinakaran, publishes article on CASP's Gender Centre at South Eastern University, which Minister Ferial Ashraff calls historic.

[click on image above for full-size article in Tamil]

Rebuild Ampara Radio quiz winner!

Ms. Kirupakaran Nagalogini of Old Post Office Road, Karaitivu - 5, is our Rebuild Ampara Radio quiz winner! Ms. Nagalogini visited CASP's Akkaraipattu office to receive her prize. She is seen here with her mother receiving the prize from Victor Petrescu (CASP Project Manager) while M.S. Deen (CASP Computer Centre Manager) and M.M. Razeen (CASP Director - Finance/Administration) watch on.To listen to CASP's Rebuild Ampara Radio Programme, simply visit the Audio section of the RebuildAmpara.com website.

Honouring women on International Women's Day [Thinakaran]

Thinakaran, 7 April 2007

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Thinakaran daily Tamil newspaper publishes story on the honouring of outstanding women for CASP's celebration of International Women's Day.

[click on image above for full-size article in Tamil]

Minister Ashraff attends opening of Computer Centre [Thinakaran]

Thinakaran, 29 March 2007

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Thinakaran Tamil daily newspaper reports on Minister Ferial Ashraff's attendance at opening of CASP's Computer and English Training Centre.

[click on image above for full-size article in Tamil]