The inauguration of a newly reconstructed school building at
Vakarai in eastern Sri Lanka today (22 September) funded by the
European Union is ushering in a new era of hope to the many
students in the area.

The reconstruction of the school, Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam, 62
kms from the eastern city of Batticoloa, was carried out by IOM and
in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, as part of a much
wider EUR 147 million EU tsunami recovery aid programme.

"Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya was shifted to a safer area after the
tsunami and was functioning in semi-permanent learning facilities
until today when the EU, through IOM, completed the construction of
a completely new school," said the Minister of Education Hon. Susil
Premajayantha. "I have no doubt that the newly built modernized
school will stand out as our strength and inspiration in overcoming
challenges of the tsunami - a model school for the future," he
added.

The EUR 1.88 million school reconstruction comprised permanent
buildings for the primary and secondary sections; an assembly hall;
a library; science, computer, vocational and technology
laboratories; administration offices; a language centre; aesthetics
rooms, and a canteen. It will make the school the largest primary
and secondary education facility in eastern Sri Lanka with more
than 800 students benefitting from its modern facilities.

The government contributed the furniture and equipment for the
school buildings worth nearly EUR 59,000.

"It is with great pleasure that the Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam is
gifted to present and future students from the generous people of
Europe as a token of their long standing friendship with Sri
Lanka," said Bernard Savage, Ambassador to the Delegation of the
European Commission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

"This reconstruction work on one of the largest schools in the
Eastern Province is a commendable example of international
cooperation, together with the participation of government,
non-government and community organizations irrespective of ethnic
or religious differences," Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
said in his message to celebrate the opening.

For more information, please contact:

Sandali Wijayatilake

EU Commission Sri Lanka

Tel: +94 112674413 (ext 108)

or

Stacey Winston

IOM Sri Lanka

Tel: 94 1125325300

E-mail: "mailto:swinston@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">swinston@iom.int