SLA vacates Hartley College, Morakkoddanchenai School

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 July 2002, 13:34 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army Monday vacated the Morakkoddanchenai Ramakrishna Mission School in the Batticaloa district after twelve years of occupation and handed two buildings of the Point Pedro Hartley College in Jaffna. Students and parents who object that the SLA's continues to occupy several private homes and public buildings, including the local library and village council surrounding the school in the heart of Morakkoddanchenai, boycotted the event.

SLA'S Batticaloa commander, Lt. Col Anthoniz handed over all documents related to the school to the Kalkudah Director of Education Mr.V. Kanapathipillai. (Photo: TamilNet)

Meanwhile, in Point Pedro, parents complained that the SLA still checks students and the public at the college road junction that leads to Hartley College.

The handing over event was held at Morakkoddanchenai School Monday morning. Mr. K. Thangavadivel, Batticaloa district parliamentarian, General Officer Commanding of the SLA's 23 Division, Major General Sunil Tennekoon and the SLA'S Batticaloa commander Lt. Col. V.R.L.Anthoniz attended the ceremony.

Lt. Col Anthoniz handed over all documents related to the school to the Kalkudah Director of Education Mr.V. Kanapathipillai. The SLA has been encamped in the school and the village center since 1990.

Lt. Col Anthoniz (right) and General Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka army's 23 Division, Maj. Gen. Sunil Tennekoon with the school principal (Photo: TamilNet)

Parents and students did not attend the event. Parents said that they would send their children to the Ramakrishna Mission School only after SLA vacates the homes and public buildings surrounding the school.

The SLA Monday evening handed over the keys of Poornampillai Hall and Lower Hall, named after two past principals of Hartley College, to Mr.Murugupillai Sripathi who is the school's principal now.

The two buildings occupied by the army are 15,840 sq ft.

However, the SLA still occupies buildings of the Pt. Pedro law courts, and the Jetty, close to Hartley College.

Although the SLA has vacated Hartley College entirely, it continues to check students and the public at the college road junction sentry point, residents said.

Meanwhile Principal M. Sripathy said the two buildings; Poornampillai Hall and Lower Hall have been badly damaged. The Poornampillai Hall is on the verge of collapse due to severe damages to its main beams. Until necessary repairs are done the school buildings cannot be used, he added.

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