TRO honors Sinhala pre-school teachers

[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 November 2004, 01:00 GMT]
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) through its Pre School Educational Development Council (PSEDC) Saturday honoured about forty three Sinhala pre-school teachers in the Trincomalee Town and Gravets Division at the invitation of Sinhalese parents and residents of Mihindupura, a Sinhala settlement located about three km off east port town, sources said.

Sinhala pre-school teachers attending the event

The event was held at Mihindupura Sinhala Vidiyalaya and the proceedings were translated into Tamil by the organizers who were all Sinhalese.

Ms Siyani Kotelawala, PSEDC co-ordinator supervising Sinhala pre-schools in her welcome address said TRO honoured about four hundred pre-school teachers of all three communities on October 6 to mark the International Teachers' Day. However most of the Sinhala pre-school teachers serving in the divisions of Trincomalee, Gomarankadawela and Kantalai did not attend the event due to miscommunication and lack of co-ordination in sending invitations.

"We were very disappointed and went directly to TRO office in Trincomalee town and complained to the TRO officials. We told them that Sinhala pre-school teachers are also willing to work with the PSEDC of TRO for the development of Sinhala pre-schools in Sinhala areas. TRO officials extended their full co-operation to our appeal and offered all assistance in this regard. We are very grateful to TRO and PSEDC for attending the event we organized to honour Sinhala pre-school teachers in this area," said Ms Kotelawala.

London TRO representative Mr.Rajagopal speaking

Venerable Andanakulam Viharathipathi Kanemuldeniya Vipulatissa Thera said in his anusasana said today's event would pave way for strengthening the unity between all communities in the district. TRO 's assistance for the development of pre-schools of all communities would lay the foundation to create a society that is blind to racial and religious differences. He thanked TRO for its assistance to Sinhala pre-school teachers.

Mr.Rex Kulathunge, Principal of Mihindupura Sinhala Vidiyalaya said various forces have wounded healthy relationship between the three communities. TRO has come to the rescue with a medicine to heal the wound by working for the betterment of pre-school teachers and pre-school students treating all communities alike.

Mr.Kiruba, TRO Trincomalee District Director said PSEDC was founded in 1990 and one of its objectives was to honour pre-school teachers of all communities who serve under trying circumstances without a fixed remuneration or other facilities.



Sinhala pre-school teachers are seen during the flag hoisting ceremony

Venerable Andankulam ViharathipathiKanamuldeniya Vipulatissa Thera delivering anusasana

TRO Trinco District Director Mr.Kiruba gives away prize to a Sinhala pre-school teacher

Sinhala pre-school teachers with lit candles



He added the government and other institutions related to the development of education have no plan regarding the development of pre-school education in the country. TRO in the northeast through PSEDC has formulated a scheme to provide training and other facilities to pre-school teachers and students in the province irrespective of racial, language and other differences.

Mr.S.Rajagopal, TRO London representative, Ms Jeya Thambiah, Provincial Assistant Director for Pre-School Development and several others also spoke.

Mr.Rajagopal inaugurated the distribution of presents to Sinhala pre-school teachers. TRO Trincomalee district office donated those presents.