New building opened at Trinco Technical Institute

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 May 2004, 00:01 GMT]
Mr. Lei Brouns, South Asia Director of the Netherlands based Terre Des Hommes(TDH), Tuesday declared open the new building of the Trincomalee St. Jospeh Technical Institute, constructed at a cost of about nine million rupees and funded by TDH.

Mr.Lei Brouns speaking.

The Trincomalee-Batticaloa Bishop, Rt Reverend Dr.Kingsely Swampillai, blessed the occasion. The other guests were Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham and USAID Regional Programme Manager Ms Brenda Barrett, sources said.

The incumbent Director of the Trincomalee St.Joseph's Technical Institute, Rev.Bro.Michael said in his welcome address " the new building stands as a monument to the toil, hard labour and sufferings of the Rev.Catholic Brothers of our society in Trincomalee where we could train the dropouts from schools and colleges, displaced and severely affected by the war, for those who are unable to pursue their educational careers and for the very poor youths who opt for technical education."




Trincomalee St Joesph's Technical Institute's new building.


The USAID provided funds to the Institute for importing modern machinery from abroad to train students as machine tool setters and operators, Rev.Michael said.

Bishop Dr.Kingsely Swampillai commended the administration of the institute for having rendered immense service to the youths of the district during 1990s when indiscriminate arrests took place and violence ruled the district. He added that this institute has been serving the grassroots level of the society in the district.

Mr. Lei Brouns commended the services of the Institute at a time of crisis to the youths of the district. He hoped that the Institute would in future also provide better service to youths with training in technical skills ensuring better employment opportunities.


Terre Des Hommes South Asia Director Mr.Lei Brouns and USAID Regional Programme Manager Ms Brenda Barret seen after being honoured with golden shawls.


Parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham also spoke.

Bishop Rt. Rev.Dr.Kingsely Swampillai honoured the chief guest with golden shawl and a nun honoured Ms. Brenda Barrett.

The Trincomalee St Jospeh Technical Institute was founded 25 years ago in 1979 at a time when the underprivileged youths of Trincomalee district needed an opening to obtain employment. These youths, majority of whom were dropouts of schools, were provided with technical training in welding, motor mechanism and electrical, wiring thus ensuring a better future in the society, the scholl authorities said.




Chief Guest Mr.Lei Brouns and his wife witnessing the Kavadi event.





( L-R ) Parliamentarian Mr.Thurairatnasingham, Bishop Kingley Swampillai,Mr.Lei Brouns, Mrs Brourns, Ms Brenda Barrett and Regional Supervisor Rev.Bro. Bavo are seen.