Norwegian funded boat repair yard opened in Salli

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 April 2005, 15:37 GMT]
Under the Tsunami Boat Rehabilitation Project funded by the Kystaksjonen of Norway, a boat repairing yard was opened Thursday morning in Salli, a fishing hamlet about eleven km north of Trincomalee under the auspices of Trincomalee Division Fisheries Co-operative Societies Union (TDFCSU). This was the twelfth of the fourteen boats repairing yards scheduled to be opened in the northeast by Kystaksjonen of Norway.

Site of the Salli boat repair yard

Tsunami damaged Salli fisheries jetty

Historic Muttumariamman Temple in Salli, Swami Rock where historic Koneswaram Temple is located can be been seen across the sea from the Salli village

Already eleven such yards have been opened in Munai, Mathagal, Polykandi, Manatkadu, Athikovilady, and Chundikulam in the Jaffna district, Paalmeenmadu, Kaluwankerni, and Valaichchenai in Batticaloa district, Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu in Amparai district. Two more boat repairing yards in Muttur in Trincomalee district and Vakarai in Batticaloa district are to be opened later, said Mr.K.Tharmaseelan, Project Co-ordinator of the Tusnami Rehabilitation Project of the Kystaksjonen.

Mr.Sivakumar, LTTE Trincomalee town political head declared open the Salli boat yard by cutting the ribbon and Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Trincomalee district parliamentarian lighted the traditional oil lamp.

Mr.S.Pavalarasa, President of TDFCSU presided. He said tsunami-affected fishermen in the Trincomalee district are only looked after by non-governmental organizations and not by the Colombo government.

Mr.Thurairatnasingham said the government is taking steps to rehabilitate and reconstruct tsunami affected south of the country and not the northeast, which suffered worst in losing lives and properties.

Mr.Sivakumar said instead of assisting non-governmental organizations in rebuilding the tsunami hit coastal areas in the northeast, the government is imposing ban on transporting cement and other materials for such works. This act should be considered a human rights violation in addition to ceasefire violation, Mr.Sivakumar pointed out.

Mr.K.Tharmaseelan, Project Co-ordinator, Mr.S.Gowrimuhunthan, President of the Trincomalee District Fisheries Unions Federation also spoke. Mr.Manoharan, Vice President of TDFCSU proposed vote of thanks.

Salli village was badly hit by tsunami and several boats were damaged. Villagers are still undergoing hardships without basic facilities and assistance. The fisheries jetty of the village was also damaged by tidal waves, TDFCSU sources said.


(L-R) TDFCSU President Mr.Pavalarasa, LTTE Trinco Town political head Mr.Sivakumar, Trincomalee parliamentarian Mr.Thurairatnasingham and Mr. Tharmaseelan, Tsunami Rehabilitation Project Co-ordinator are seen at the opening event

Related Articles:
24.04.05   NGOs fund new boat yard and pre-school in Muttur East
01.03.05   Boat building yard opened in Vadamaradchchi east
28.01.05   Rebuilding Trinco fishing industry discussed