IOM has completed two community projects in Trincomalee District as
part of its European Commission (EC)-funded Voluntary Assisted
Return and Sustainable Reintegration (VARSR) project.

The project helps irregular Sri Lankan migrants stranded in
Europe to voluntarily return home and reintegrate into Sri Lankan
society.

The Ananthapuri Common Purpose Hall, which will benefit some 320
local families, was built with the help of returnees and the
Ananthapuri Rural Development Society. It will house a library, an
office for the Grama Niladharis or village leaders and a place for
the community to host functions.

"Young people in Ananthapuri will benefit from this facility, as
it will allow them easy access to educational materials and
recreational activities," says IOM Trincomalee Head of Sub-Office
J.A. Jeevananthan.

Meanwhile in Sardhapura, Trincomalee, Dharmarajah Vidyalaya
school has inaugurated a permanent pre-school built by IOM, with
assistance from returnees and the host community.

The project constructed a building to replace a temporary
structure made of planks and tin sheeting. IOM also donated play
material for the fifty children attending the pre-school.

For further details please contact:

Rashindu de Mel

IOM Colombo

Tel: +94.11.5325300

E-mail: "mailto:rdemel@iom.int">rdemel@iom.int