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U.S. Ambassador Opens Two Schools in Batticaloa

ReliefWeb

Embassy of the United States of America

Colombo
PRESS RELEASE
Public Affairs Section
Tel: +94 (1) 249-8100 ● Fax: +94 (1) 244-9070
Email: ElmsC@state.gov ● http://srilanka.usembassy.gov

October 24, 2012: Over 1,200 rural students in the East can now enjoy improved educational facilities thanks to financial support from the United States. Funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Pacific Command built and renovated classrooms, teachers’ quarters, and lavatories. On a visit to Batticaloa, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele Sison opened the Kalumunthanveli General Tamil Mixed School in Porathivu Pattu DS division and Munaikadu Vivekananda in Paddipalai DS Division, Batticaloa. Both schools were badly damaged during the country’s longstanding conflict.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies, Ambassador Sison said, “The U.S. Government understands the challenges people in the East have faced over the last 26 years, and it has been a central part of our work here to support the next generation in the transition from conflict to peace. It has been difficult for people in many rural areas to have uninterrupted access to essential services like education. Since the war ended, the Sri Lankan government has begun to extend these services, and, with the support of USAID, and the United States Pacific Command (PACOM) we are happy to have been able to support them in their efforts”.

Since 2008, USAID and the U.S. Pacific Command have supported schools affected by the conflict in the North and East of the country. Such infrastructure improvements and new facilities have enabled the schools to accommodate more students and guarantee year-round instruction.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, the U.S. government has invested over $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.