New facilities for refugee return community

A new children's park, sports pavilion and water tank were inaugurated in Hajarawatte by Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The facilities, provided by IOM at a cost of Rs. 3.5 million, are part of an Australian-funded IOM project: "Sustainable Return and Integration of Sri Lankan Refugees from India."

"These facilities will benefit the whole community - not just the refugees returning from India," said Patrick Charignon, Head of IOM, Sri Lanka's Early Recovery and Livelihood Development Unit.

"The overhead tank and water supply units will benefit 145 families who previously had to walk miles to collect water. And the sports facilities will be used by some of the sports clubs and schools to which the project has already distributed sports equipment," he added.