Awareness on Violence Against Women

Daily News (page 5) - July 7, 2008

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An Awareness Creation Programme on ‘Violence against Women” organized by CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) with the assistance of Mother and Child Social Welfare Association was held at RDS Hall Addappallam, Nintavur recently.

The programme, which was held under the chairmanship of Director of CASP’s Centre for Gender Studies Dr.Anuzsiya Senathirajah, was attended by a large number of women from all walks of life from Tamil and Muslim Communities in the village of Addappallam and suburbs in the Nintavur DS Division.

Gender Specialist K.Sri Chitra assisted by Nadarajah Nisahanthi of Crisis Centre played a major role in conducting this programme. Domestic violence, Street violence, Understanding each other, Give and Take Policy, Narrow down the Gap between the two and decency in talking each other were the main topics taken for the awareness programmes. Group discussions, group works question and answers were also held.

Directors of the Centre for Gender Studies along with President Dr.M.A.Ifthikar and Secretary M.P Suibaitha of Mother and Child Social Welfare Association played a major role in conducting this programme where Senior Female lecturers of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka actively participated in the programme.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Certificate Awarding Ceremony of ACTC

Daily News (page 3) - April 17, 2008

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The first ever Certificate Awarding Ceremony of CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) ACTC (Akkaraipattu Computer and Training Centre) was held at the Training Centre in Akkaraipattu Sulaiman Complex recently. CASP's Project Co-Director David Boyce who participated as Chief Guest at this ceremony is seen handing over a certificate of merit to a female who has successfully completed her course. ACTC Manager M.A.S Deen, Ampara Manager I.R. Mirzaa, General Manager Dr. Anusiya Senethirajah and the course co-ordinator A. R. Farzan were also present. Picture by M.A. Phakurdeen Addalaichenai group correspondent.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Training should be continuous to fulfil needs of the people

Daily News (page 3) - March 28, 2008

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The Akkaraipattu Computer Training Centre conducted by CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) held its first ever Certificate Awarding Ceremony in a grand manner at the ACTC hall on Saturday in the presence of a large gathering of youth of the district.

The ceremony was presided over by the Manager of the Centre M.A.S. Deen and was attended by CASP's Project Co-Director David Boyce as Chief Guest and Ampara Manager I.R. Mirzaa as guest of honour. Prior to the ceremony, the Guest David Boyce and Guest of Honour I.R. Mirzaa were garlanded by the students and were taken in a procession flanked by the students.

One hundred and twenty four students who underwent training in Certificate in Online Communication, Certification in Computerized Accounting, Diploma in Computerized Accounting, Certificate in Intermediate Diploma in Computer Hardware, Diploma in Graphic Design, Diploma in Office Management and Diploma in Leadership Management received their Certificates of Merit from the Chief-Guest David Boyce.

In his keynote address, David Boyce outlined the Master Plan which CASP has assigned to prepare and he was happy to say that they have completed this task and paid a glowing tribute to those who were extending their fullest support to complete this assignment. He said CASP is, however, determined to continue the demonstrations projects such as Centre for Gender Studies, Potato Cultivation and Computer Training Centre.

Touching upon the Computer Training Centre, he said the Centre has been going ahead with its task efficiently in consideration with the desperate need of the youngsters of the area. "I am happy to note that a group of youth is leaving us after successfully completing their courses in their respective fields. This is a great achievement and this trend should go continuously fulfilling the need and inspiration of the people. He also added that gaining knowledge is not a limiting factor so every one of us must be determined to gain knowledge not only to benefit for themselves but also the society they belonged to. Then only our goal can be achieved".

Manager M.A.S. Deen said that we must always be thankful to CASP and its President Douglas MacArthur for the smooth functioning of this Computer Training Centre. He also said that the Centre has made all arrangements to streamline its activities with the shifting of this Centre to a new place. Hence, he made an appeal to the outgoing students to take this message to the colleagues to enroll them to widen their IT and English knowledge.

Ms. Narjees, who spoke on behalf of the outgoing students, paid a glowing tribute to the President of CASP Douglas MacArthur and the Vice-President Jeff MacArthur for affording them the opportunity, especially the youth of the area, to widen their knowledge in the field of Information and Technology and English Languages. This was a rare oppottunity and we should always be grateful to you, she said.

Ampara Manager I.R. Mirzaa and Course Co-Coordinator - Administrative Officer A.R. Faizaan also spoke.

MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

CASP's Dr. Zheng examines Potato Cultivation in Ampara District

Daily News (page 3) - March 14, 2008

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Canadian Agro Sustainability Partnership's (CASP) Agricultural Specialist Dr. Zhiming Zheng was in Sri Lanka on the invitation of CASP's President Douglas MacArthur to assist in a research on Potato Cultivation Projects, specially the soil in which this cultivation is undertaken by the farmers of the District. Here, he is inspecting a snakegourd produced by a cultivator in his subsidiary food crops cultivation in Kuduwil. Deputy Director Agriculture P. Nimal Dayaratna, Research Officer Y. B. lqbal, Potato Specialist M. I. M. Nazeer and CASP's Ampara Manager I. R. Mirzaa were also present. 

Picture by M. A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

CASP's David Boyce hands over Ampara District Master Plan to Government Agent Sunil Kannagara

Thinnakaran (page 15) - February 18, 2008

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CASP Potato Cultivation thrives despite floods

Daily News (page 4) - February 12 2008

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Potato cultivation undertaken by CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) in the Ampara District has shown tremendous progress in spite of the recent floods in the area. An inspection tour was carried out by CASP's Manager of Agriculture Development, Dr. Zhiming Zheng. Here, Dr. Zhiming examines a potato plant which has developed with tubers shown by Potato Specialist M.I.M. Nazeer. Agriculture Deputy Director Ampara (Provincial) P. Uganathan, Agriculture Deputy Director, Nimal Dayaratna, Assistant Agriculture Director, A.R.A. Latheef, Research Officer, U.L. lqbal and CASP's Ampara Manager, I.R. Mirzaa were also present.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Arugam Bay Tousist Association meeting [Daily News]

Daily News (page 4) - Saturday 29 December 2007

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CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership), which has undertaken the task of drawing a Master Plan to rebuild Ampara District, met the representatives of the Arugam Bay Tourists Association at the Star Dust Hotel, Arugam Bay. Here, CASP’s Project Co-Director David Boyce (centre) and Architectural Designer Robert Haggis (far left) are in discussion with the Vice-President William Perera and Executive Member MI Cader Mohideen as to how tourism could be developed and this area made into a tourist paradise.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

CIDA visits Centre for Gender Studies [Daily News]

Daily News (page 4) - Wednesday 27 December 2007

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CIDA representatives, accompanied by the First Secretary to the Canadian High Commission Calvin R Piggot, visited the Centre for Gender Studies housed in the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka at Oluvil to assess progress and look into future programmes. Here, Calvin R Piggot talks to students of the University while the CIDA Senior Developmemt Office Shahila Rodrigues and the Manager of the Centre for Gender Studies Dr. Anuzsiya Senathirajah (right) looking on. CIDA Development Officer HRM Shibly, CASP Director Hugh Fernando, and CASP Ampara Manager Ifthi Mirzaa were present.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Top spot for potato cultivation

Daily News (page 4) - December 28 2007

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Potato cultivation has been given a place of pride in CASP's (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) development activities envisaged for Ampara district this year and all arrangements in these connections are ready.

On the advice of CASP's president Douglas MacArthur and the support given by CIDA CASP's Potato Specialist M.I.M. Nazeer has undertaken this project in Alayadivembu, Wangamam, Padiyathalawa, Safa Nagar, Kudtjvil, Samanthurai, Barakath Nagar and Wehetagama covering all three communities and it is a hive of activity at present. Potato Specialist Nazeer who was responsible for successful potato cultivation last year witnessed by Minister Ferial Ashraff has been visiting the Potato Cultivators and providing them with all assistance and giving them the technical know how.

The Canadian Agro Sustainability partnership is the lead organization to mobilize and co-ordinate Canadian interests and expertise in International sustainable agriculture. CASP is headquartered in Prince Edward Island and its founding members are PEI in its Institutional Organizations are active in International Agriculture. Other leading agricultural organisations of Canada are also members of CASP. It is also informed that CASP also focuses on Agricultural Development needs, opportunities including cropping systems, aquaculture, agro-process, food safety, agro forestry and related educational and environmental co-considerations.

Caption: Potato cultivation has once again been given a pride of place in CASP's (Canadian Agro Sustainability Partnership) programme envisaged in Ampara District. Here, CASP's Potato Specialist M.I. Nazeer (left) is giving instructions to the cultivators who are willingly engaged in this Project in Wangamam in Irrakkamam DS Division. CASP's Amapra Manager I.R. Mirzaa and Ampara District Forest Officer M.A.I. Suhood were also present.

Picture by MA Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

CASP delivers Master Plan draft to Minister Ashraff [Thinakaran]

Thinakaran Tamil Daily - Friday 21 December 2007

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Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership (CASP) has prepared a Master Plan while staying in Ampara District for more than a year. The Master Plan was prepared with the assistance of 17 Ministries, including Agriculture, Potato Cultivation, Fisheries, Health, Housing, Kalmunai Town Development, Vocational Training of Youth, Eduction, Road Development, and Technology, and will play a major role in developing this District. Above, the Master Plan is being handed over by CASP Project Co-Director David Boyceto the Minister of Housing and Common Amenities Ferial Ashraff.

Also present are the Ministry Secretary W.T. Ganagala (left), CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) representative and First Secretary to the Canadian High Commission Calvin Piggot (right), and Advisor to the Minister S. Lebbe (centre).

Master Plan handed over [Rupavahini/ITN]

Rupavahini/ITN - Tuesday 18 December 2007

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Sri Lanka national television news broadcast covering the handing over of CASP's Master Plan to Minister Ferial Ashraff.

Potato Cultivation continues [Thinakaran]

Thinakaran Tamil Daily - Saturday 8 December 2007

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Potato Cultivation has been given a pride of place in CASP's (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) development activities for Ampara District this year, with further arrangements already afoot.

On the advice of CASP President Dougalas MacArthur and with the support given
by CIDA, Potato Specialist MIM Nazeer has undertaken potato projects in Alayadivembu, Wangamam, Padiyathalawa, Safa Nagar, Kuduvil, Samnmanthurai, Barakath Nagar, and Weheragama which cover all three communities and a hive of activity is going on at present. Potato Specialist Nazeer, who was responsible for the successful potato cultivation last year witnessed by Minister Fariel Ashraff, has been visiting the potato cultivators and has been providing them with special assistance and technical know-how.

Shramadana environmental cleanup [Daily News]

Daily News - Friday 23 November 2007

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A shramadana was organised by the Central Camp Eastern Organisation for Democracy at Central Camp Colony 10 to clean the Salviniya weed spread all over the pond. A large number of villagers from all three communities who volunteered are engaged in their task (right). CASP’s Environmental Director David Boyce joined the volunteers in clearing the Salviniya (left). The highlight was the participation of a large number of women volunteers in the shramadana.

Pottuvil Traders Development Society meets with CASP [Daily News]

Daily News, Thursday 27 September 2007

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The members of the Pottuvil Traders Development Society met CASP's (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Parntership) Director of Environmental Services, David Boyce, at a hotel in Pottuvil (see map below) to discuss their future development programmes to include in the Master Plan CASP intends to draw. Here, Director David Boyce (third from right) in discussions with the President of the Society I.M. Rasheed, Secretary S.M. Muhseen, and members. Officials from CASP were also present.

Picture by M.A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

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EU-Ampara Parnership MOU signed

Many significant Development Projects covering all sectors are to be implemented in Ampara District with the signing of an MOU by the European Union Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Julian Wilson, and the Ampara Government Agent, Sunil Kannanagara. The signing took place at the District Secretary’s Conference Hall in the presence of representatives from INGOs working in Ampara District who wish to move forward as partners to solve the major needs of the District.The EU-Ampara Partnership is funded by the European Union in the amount of EUR 78 million (approx. LKR 11,388,000.00), which will contribute towards the rehabilitation and sustainable development of Ampara District. The Partnership funds are delivered through eight partners working with local authorities and also with the National Ministries (RDA and Nation Building & Reconstruction) to ensure an integrated approach to the development of the entire district.

The EU-Ampara Partnership is comprised of the following programmes:

• Reconstruction of Siyambalanduwa/Pottuvil/Akkaraipattu roads [EUR 13.5 million] co-financed by the ADB and Ministry of Highways;
  
• Community Access Roads Programme (CAP) [EUR 30 million] implemented through IOM and local authorities;
  
• Community Livelihood Support Programme (CLSP) [EUR 10 million] implemented through IOM and local authorities;
  
• Livelihood Development Programme (LDP) [EUR 0.7 million] implemented through UNDP and local authorities;
  
• North East Housing Reconstruction Programme (NEHRP) [EUR 13 million] co-financed by the World Bank and Ministry of Nation Building and Reconstruction;
  
• Environmental Remediation Programme [EUR 10 million] implemented through UNOPS and local authorities;
  
• Two environmental remediation actions under the ASIA PRO ECO HB – Post Tsunami programme in Kalmunai [EUR 1 million] co-financed with the City of Munich and Province of Modena and local authorities.

The EU-Ampara Partnership is committed to deliver aid to all vulnerable communities in the District and will ensure that the allocation of resources is strictly guided by the principles of equity.

Master Plan Transport and Traffic Workshop [Daily News]

Daily News, 6 September 2007

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CASP (Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership) has been conducting a series of workshops as a prelude to draw up a Master Plan for various sectors in order to improve the standard of the living of the people in Ampara District, especially in the tsunami-affected areas. Here, CASP's Director - Environmental Services, David Boyce is seen addressing the Transport and Traffic Sectoral Meeting at CASP's Ampara (see map below) conference hall. The officials from Transport and Traffic are seen on the right.

Picture by M.A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

Gender Sector seminar by CASP [Daily News]

Daily News, 6 September 2007

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The Canadian Agro-Sustainability Partnership, which has undertaken the task of drawing a master plan to rebuild tsunami-aftected Ampara District, has been conducting a series of meetings in different sectors. A meeting on the Gender Sector under its programme was held at the Akkaraipattu Computer & Training Centre's conference hall recently. Above left, CASP's General Manager Dr. Anuzsia Sonataraja with CASP's Director Administration/Finance M.M. Razeeen, and Gender Specialist Thilaka Pathmanathan at the seminar.

Picture by M.A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai Group Correspondent

District Agriculture Training Centre open at Palamuna

A District Agriculture Training Centre constructed at Palamunai in the Addalaichenai DS Division was ceremonially declared open on Monday, September 3rd.

The Centre, which was built at a cost of Rs. 7 million provided by the European Union through the UNDP, is very well equipped and includes a demonstration plot consisting of one acre of land. It will cater to the needs of 60,000 farmers in improving their agricultural abilities in the Tamil speaking areas of the coastal belt.

The Ambassador of the European Union in Sri Lanka, Julian Wilson, participated as chief guest at this ceremony and declared the Training Centre open by cutting the ribbon following the hoisting of the National Flag. Government Agent Sunil Kannangara, Deputy Director of Agriculture P.T. Nimal Dayaratna, Assistant Director of Agriculture R.M. Latheef, as well as Agricultural Officers and Instructors also participated.Ambassador Wilson expressed his happiness to complete such a worthy project in this area where farmers are in the majority and appealed to them to make the maximum benefit out of the Centre. “We love Sri Lanka, and hence the people of European Union showed their kind generosity by voluntarily giving their financial assistance to uplift the standard of the common masses in the eastern part of Sri Lanka”, the Ambassador said. He further revealed that a large sum of money has been set apart for development projects in various sectors in Ampara District.

The UNDP’s Ampara Officer in Charge Z.A. Joufer, EU Coordinator Kiran Kothari, and many other representatives from interested INGOs attended the ceremonies. Also present in large numbers were the coastal area farmers wishing to express their gratitude to the EU and UNDP in implementing this project successfully and helping to solve some of their long-standing problems.

Akkaraipattu Seed Paddy Processing Centre nears completion

On the initiative of Akkaraipattu Seed Paddy Producers Society, an outstanding problem of the farmers of the Ampara District is to be solved by the establishment of a full fledged Paddy Processing Centre along with a storage facility for seed paddy produced here in Akkaraipattu.

The work on this Rs. 15 million project commenced in November 2006, with funding assistance from the European Union through UNDP Ampara. Construction work is progressing quickly under the technical advises of the Department of Agriculture’s Extension, Seed Paddy, and Certifying Units, and is to be complete early next month.

Two important features of the project, a Seed Processing Machine and Seed Drier are to be brought down from Germany and India respectively. Once the project is complete, the Processing Centre will be in the position to supply 15,000 bushels of seed paddy after processing and certifying to the farmers of the District, helping to further facilitate their paddy cultivation.

A team of Officials from the European Union, headed by Ms. Merce de Torres and UNDP’s Ampara Chief Z.A. Joufer, visited the site recently and expressed their satisfaction after talking to the OIC of the Ampara Seed Paddy Processing Centre and members of the Akkaraipattu Seed Paddy Producers.It may be noted that Ampara District, the rice bowl of the Country, is the second largest paddy producing area in Sri Lanka, with 63,000 hectares of paddy cultivation fulfilling one fifth of the rice production in the Country. According to the Agriculture Department’s statistics, the farmers in the District produce 75% of the seed paddy required by the District themselves. Once this is more fully established, problems confronted by the farmers in the District in seeking quality seed paddy should be solved to a great extent.

Freshwater Fish Farming and more in Secretary's visit

The Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Land, Irrigation, Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock Development & Health and Cooperatives of the Eastern Province, A.R.M. Maharoof, together with the Director of Fisheries, S. Suthakaran,
recently travelled to the Ampara and the Batticaloa Districts.

As part of this trip, they met with individuals involved in agriculture, livestock, and freshwater fish farming in Illukkutchchenai on Sunday, July 8th. Discussions included matters relating to integrated farming and the ways and means to develop these sectors in Ampara District.

The following day, the Secretary was the chief guest at the first-year anniversary of the Kayalvizi Freshwater Fish Farmers Association at the 11th colony in Central Camp. In 1952, under the Galoya Scheme, 150 poor farmer families were settled at this colony on 600 acres of land, and the population has now grown to 2,300 families.

As part of the anniversary activities, the Secretary awarded prizes to the winners of a quiz competition conducted for schoolchildren by the Association. He also visited the sixteen freshwater fish ponds constructed there by the humanitarian organisation World Concern and inspected the condition of the fishes.

During subsequent meetings, the Secretary said that the Eastern Provincial Council hoped to renovate the three tanks [man-made lakes] in Annamalai, Panama, and Illukkutchchenai, for the benefit of Tamil, Sinhalese, and Muslim farmers and freshwater fishermen in the region.

On Tuesday, July 10th, the Secretary introduced 15,000 of the Thelapia Nirotika variety of fishlings at the Neelavanai Periyakulam tank in Ampara District.