On a bright Tuesday morning in late September, Vakarai – a
sleepy fishing village located about 300 kilometres east of the
capital Colombo on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka – bustled
with activity.

Its villagers, who recovered from the destruction of the 2004
tsunami and the devastation of the armed conflict earlier this
year, savour the peace and tranquility that now surround their
village. But on that particular day the villagers, especially the
children, had more reason to be happy. They were preparing for the
presidential opening of their newly reconstructed school, Vakarai
Maha Vidyalayam.

Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam suffered the wrath of the tsunami and
all efforts to reconstruct the school came to a halt because of the
armed conflict. Despite the setback, the new school was finally
completed through the support of the European Union (EU) in
collaboration with the Ministry of Education and IOM.

Standing today in place of the old, partially destroyed school
is an ultra modern learning complex – the largest primary and
secondary school on the east coast, a monument of hope for the
children of Vakarai."During the past five years we studied under
difficult conditions, no proper classrooms, water and sanitation
facilities or play areas," says Lakshan, a grade seven student,
pointing to the nearby makeshift school they have been attending.
"We can now study in this big school with a lot of facilities. I am
indeed very happy today," Lakshan says as he and his friends
eagerly await the President of Sri Lanka to officially open the
school.

The school currently accommodates more than 700 students through
Grades 1 to 13 with adequate facilities for increased enrolment in
the coming years. The facilities include permanent buildings for
primary and secondary levels; an assembly hall; a library; science,
computer, vocational and technology laboratories; administration
offices; a language centre; aesthetics rooms, a canteen and live-in
facilities for tutorial and administrative staff.

"This new school complex will bring about a positive change for
the students as well as the tutorial and administrative staff.
Their behaviour, activities, surroundings will change and this is
important for the development of our village and the empowerment of
the next generation," explains Mr. Balamuraleetharan, a teacher at
the school.

The children, mostly from farming and fishing communities,
travel as far as 10km to get to school. Some make the journey on
the back of their parents’ bicycles, while others walk. The
new complex, spanning a floor area of 6,000 square metres and with
all modern facilities, is a dream come true for them.

"This school is huge compared to the one which was here before
and we feel privileged to be studying here," says 15-year-old
Prashantha.

"I want to be a teacher and teach in this new school to help my
community," says Tanojini while her friend Vasanthy adds, "It is an
important day for us as the new school is declared open by His
Excellency the President of Sri Lanka in the presence of many other
dignitaries. We are so proud to be a part of this celebration."

The new school cost EUR 1.88 million (approximately LKR 300
million) to build with funding from the European Union. The
Government of Sri Lanka contributed nearly EUR 59,000 (LKR 10
million) worth of furniture and equipment for the school.

In his address, the Education Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Mr.
Susil Premjayantha, said that the Government's intention was to
give all Sri Lankans equal opportunities in education irrespective
of where they live.

During the opening, His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa
extended his gratitude to the stakeholders of the project including
the EU, IOM and the Ministry of Education. Addressing the students,
he said, "Equip yourselves with quality education using the modern
facilities available, as it is one thing which could not be taken
from you.

"Dear children, you are flag bearers of the nation and the ones who
should protect this country tomorrow. Today's children are the ones
who would become kings tomorrow," concluded President Rajapaksa to
a roar of applause from the audience.

As the official ceremony came to a close, hundreds of happy
children played in front of the new school buildings with treats in
their hands, broad smiles on their faces and a sense of pride.

Their future looked brighter than ever.