Australia funds rat fever education project in Galle

The Australian High Commission has extended its support for a project aimed at creating awareness and education on Leptosporsis (commonly known as rat fever) in the Galle district.

The project will be carried out by the Saviya Development Foundation and will target children of 20 schools, farmers and community based organisations in the district. Other components of the project include the training of two volunteers from each village, establishing a task force of 1000 people, publication and distribution of 10,000 copies of a handbook on transmission, prevention and control of Leptosporsis, clean up of lime pits, husk pits and stagnant water collections and the mobilisation of 10 farmer clubs to educate the community.

Acting High Commissioner Sophia McIntyre while presenting the funds said: "We are delighted to be able to support a project on Leptosporsis awareness. With over 1,000 cases reported in 2008 alone, Leptosporsis is causing much hardship to Sri Lankan farmers and villagers. It is my hope that the project will help in some measure to educate the people of the Galle district in prevention of the disease".

The project was funded under the High Commission's Direct Aid Programme which is aimed primarily at supporting small-scale development activities that fully involve beneficiaries in the identification, design and management of the activities.

High Commission provided funds worth Rs. 4 million for five projects, including the Saviya Development Foundation.