Lessons in humanity
Ruwini Jayawardana
“Tsunami Lessons Learned” a conference and partners’ exhibition
organised by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) was held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and
convention Centre recently.
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High Commissioner for Canada, Angela J. Bogdan, enthralled by an
exhibit |
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Some of the exhibits which were on display at Canada’s Tsunami
Lessons Learned Partners’ exhibition. Pictures by Ruwan de Silva |
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussain Ahamed Bhaila, Minister
of Housing and Common Amenities, Ferial Ashraff and the Canadian High
Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Angela Bogdan and many distinguished guests
graced the event which also marked the finale of Canada’s four-year
tsunami reconstruction program in Sri Lanka. Canada joined hands with
Government and public to empower the lives and communities who have
suffered due to the disaster which overtook the country in 2004.
The gigantic waves not only washed away lives and property but it
also swept away the means of living for a countless amounts of citizens.
Over $84.5 Million was invested for reconstruction projects aimed at
assisting the governance, fisheries, livelihoods, housing, genre
equality and environmental rehabilitation of the country and over fifty
million Canadian dollars had been invested for tsunami relief projects
initiated by the organisation.
“Lessons in Humanity - Working together towards Disaster Resilient
Communities” conference and exhibition was aimed at paying tribute to
all the partner organisations and individuals who have worked at CIDA’s
tsunami projects and showcasing and promoting the products of
individuals who had benefited from CIDA’s tsunami funds to build a life
of their own. Speaking at the opening ceremony of “Tsunami Lessons
Learned”, the High Commissioner for Canada, Angela J. Bogdan said that
more than 65 institutes have partnered CIDA on their geographic and
ethnic balanced projects.
“The program has been able to reach out to communities within all the
tsunami affected areas in the North, East and South of the island. We
have been able to lend a hand to children who are economically and
socially disadvantaged, women and especially to those who are suffering
from immense poverty. We have achieved a commendable achievement through
our work and the success came out of team spirit,” she said. |
