YMCA opens International Centre
 

BY CHAMIKARA Weerasinghe

THE Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Sri Lanka will open its first International Centre in Sri Lanka today, which will be earmarked as a milestone in the movement's long history as a service organisation, since its establishment in 1882.

Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Hans Brattskar will open the International Centre at Kurana, Katunayake on the Negombo Road.

The Young Women's and Young Men's Christian Association of Norway had been the principal donor of the project.

The new YMCA building had been put up at a cost of Rs. 65 million. The Norwegian donors had given Rs. 45 million.

They had funded the project to make the YMCA of Sri Lanka self reliant in generating its own funds for its Children's Development and Child Rights Programmes.

The chairperson of YMCA International Centre, Sriyantha Senaratna said that the new centre was expected to generate finance for pre-schools, youth leadership training programmes, and child rights programmes throughout the country.

Senaratna was speaking at a press conference on Monday , which had been organised by the YMCA of Sri Lanka to announce the inauguration of the YMCA Centre.

He said: "The YMCA of Sri Lanka will not have to depend on foreign donations to carry out its programmes in the country once this project was successful."

The YMCA International Centre is a five storeyed building with an air-conditioned banquet hall, four function rooms and 20 air conditioned double rooms. "It is being evaluated for three star rating," said Senaratna.

President of YMCA Sri Lanka, Ravi Algama, Vice president Kalum Peramune, YMCA National General Secretary Chrishantha Hettiarachchi, and Manger, YMCA International Centre, Tony Hamilton Quyn were present.