TamilNet: 20.02.06 TRO staffers in third week of captivity

TRO staffers in third week of captivity

Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, to mark the 20th day after the abduction of ten of TRO staffers, released documents detailing the activities of the TRO workers in the areas of Pre School development and Children Homes. Three of the staffers have been released while the seven still remain in captivity with no communication from the captors widely believed to be paramilitary cadres. TRO abduction matter is likely to figure prominantly at the 22-23rd talks between Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka in Geneva, political sources from Colombo said.

Staffers abducted on 30 January 30 2006 and still to be released are: Ms. Thanuskody Premini, Mr. Shanmuganathan Sujendram, Mr. Thambiraja Vasantharajan, Mr. Kailayapillai Ravindran, and Mr. Arunesarasa Satheesharan. Staffers abducted 29 January are: Mr. Kasinathar Ganeshalingam, and Mr. Kathirkamar Thangarasa.

The document on Pre-Schools said that in the NorthEast there are 2,990 pre schools, staffed by 5,318 teachers providing care and education to over 87,045 children. Many of the pre school teachers only have an “O” Level education and have not had any teacher training.

The document on Children's Homes said: "TRO runs eighteen (18) children’s homes throughout the NorthEast for children who have lost one or more parent or have been displaced or abandoned by their families. They are looked after by trained caregivers, chosen by TRO, to make sure the children receive the best care possible. The homes provide a shelter, food, clothing, access to education at government schools, and healthcare to 1,962 children in a warm and nurturing environment. Eleven (11) of these are in the Batticaloa District providing a home for 621 children (32% all children in the TRO Homes)."