Japan funds reconstruction of school in Ratgama

RATGAMA: The laying of the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the tsunami affected Ratgama Devapathiraja College was held last Friday at the Monrovia Estate in Ratgama.

The reconstruction is funded by the Government of Japan, at an estimated cost of Rs. 289 million. The Japan International Cooperation agency (JICA) assisted in designing of the school building and the Japan International Cooperation Systems (JICS) will supervise the implementation of the project, a news release from the Japanese Embassy said.

The project is designed to provide all facilities and amenities to benefit over 2,000 children to return to school and continue their studies, without difficultly.

The reconstruction plan includes 53 classrooms, laboratories, a library, a music room, an art room, a dancing room, a computer room equipped with computers, office rooms, staff rooms, quarters for teachers and principal and sanitary facilities.

In addition, a pavilion, an assembly hall and other facilities will also be provided to ensure a comprehensive educational atmosphere for the affected tsunami children.

This assistance is a part of the Rs. 8 billion provided under the Japanese Non Project Grant Aid to the Sri Lankan Government for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of a wide range of tsunami-affected sectors including fisheries, housing, power, roads, health, education and water and sanitation sectors.