Bullock cart 'buses' Mullaitivu school children

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 March 2003, 16:09 GMT]
Students in Meelivanam village located 5km from the Karipattamurippu Government mixed school in Mullaitivu district will use an improvised bullock drawn carriage as transportation to and from their school, sources in Mullaitivu said.

V. Illankumaran cutting ribbon inaugurating the new transport service

Thunukkai region Commissioner of Education, M. Theivendran, and Rev. Father Roy Berdin lit the ceremonial lamp during the opening ceremony of the event inaugurating the new service.

V. Illankumaran, Head of the Education Committee, Illankumaran hoisted the Tamil Eelam national flag.

Speaking as chief guest at the event, Illankumaran said, "While modern technological advances elevate education systems in all spheres, our children in deprived geographical areas are suffering without even proper transportation. It is commendable that the community has come forward to using existing resources of our land to assist the children to get proper education.

"The Meelivanam community underwent severe suffering during Sri Lanka security forces' Jaya Sikurui operation. After being displaced they languished as refugees in camps, and happily now they have resettled in their own homes. They deserve praise from all Tamils for organizing the much needed transportation encouraging the children to learn," Illankumaran added.

Following the hoisting of the school flag and the flag of Scouts, Assistant Commissioner of Education, Rajeswaran lit the lamp remembering Annai Poopathi and Thiagarajah from Teachers Center garlanded the picture of her.

Past students who sacrificed their lives during the struggle were remembered and their pictures garlanded. Re. Father Roy Berdin unveiled the name board for the new transport service. School principal, S. Jespavananthan presided the cultural event that followed the opening ceremony.

School teacher S. Inthumathi, Member of School Development Council, Kanapathipillai, Assistant Commissioner of Education, Vijayaraatnam, M. Theivendran and teacher P. Janahan also spoke.