TRO opens first Sinhala pre-school in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 February 2006, 12:21 GMT]
The first pre-school constructed by the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) for Sinhalese children in the Trincomalee district with the funding of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) at a cost of one 150,000 rupees was declared open Thursday morning, in Vijithapura, a Sinhala suburb in the Trincomalee town. The institution has been named Sumathi Pre-School.

Venerable Jeyasumanarama Viharastha Pooja Mangala Kimi lit the traditional oil lamp and Mr.Pradeeplanka, Officer in-Charge of the Vijithapura Police unveiled the name board.Mr.V.Kalaivarnan, Project Officer of the TRO, Trincomalee district declared open the pre-school building by cutting the ribbon.

Venerable Jeyasumanarama Viharastha Pooja Mangala Kimi chanted 'Pirith' at the commencement of the opening event.

Miss V.Nithyapraba, District Co-ordinator of the Pre-School Education Development Council (PSEDC) presided. Ms.Mary Jospehine Jennet, Sinhala Co-ordinator of the PSEDC organized the event. Several Sinhala residents and well-wishers of the area participated.

About thirty-three Sinhala children are studying in the Sumathipura Pre-School.

Mr.Pradeeplanka said the opening of a pre-school for Sinhalese children by a Tamil humanitarian organization -TRO is a healthy sign to promote unity among the communities in the Trincomalee district. The suburb Vijithapura was badly affected by tsunami disaster.

Mr.C.Kumarakurubaran, Trincomalee District Deputy Director of the TRO, Mr.V.Kalaivarnan, and Mr.Ananda Peiris, Ms Kusumalatha of Sarvodhya spoke at the event. Ms C.Malarvilzi proposed vote of thanks.

Gifts and learning materials were presented to pre-school children.