Batticaloa market reconstructed by USAID

One of the major sources of income for the Batticaloa Municipal Council is now restored to full capacity following the official opening of the Batticaloa Market by USAID Mission Director, Rebecca Cohn.

A bustling marketplace since 1948, the Batticaloa market has been badly affected by repeated natural and man-made disasters since the late 1970s. With the successful completion of major rehabilitation activities, the market can now attract both vendors and customers with its new fruit and vegetable stalls, a new fish market, a state-of-the-art water treatment system, a cold room for the fish market, a central courtyard, and a fully rehabilitated building. USAID provided over $475,000 to improve the Batticaloa Municipal Market for the benefit of the local community, states a US Embassy media release.

Throughout the process, USAID worked closely with the Batticaloa Municipal Council, the Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastern University.

"One of the aims of USAID is to strengthen the relationships between community members and their local government leaders," said Mission Director Cohn at the opening. "The market improvements are about much more than just the beautiful new facilities and renovated buildings."