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.