Indian High Commissioner visits Vavuniya and Mullaitivu

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ashok K. Kantha, accompanied by officials of the High Commission, visited Vavuniya, Oddusudan and Mullaitivu on March 19.

At Vavuniya, along with Social Services and Social Welfare Minister, Douglas Devananda, the High Commissioner inaugurated the Limb Refitment Camp set up at Menik Farm Zone 1.

The Limb Refitment Camp is fully funded by the Indian Government and is being implemented by the Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), a world famous non-governmental organization better known as the ‘Jaipur Foot.’ The BMVSS has the distinction of having fitted the largest number of limbs to the disabled around the world and is known worldwide for new and user-friendly devices they have developed over the years.

In Vavuniya, the BMVSS has deputed a team of 19 experts from India, who would provide artificial limbs to about 1,200 Sri Lankans. The Camp, which started operations from March 13, would continue for about 30 days.

The Camp has already received response from the disabled IDPs. The High Commissioner, along with Minister Douglas Devananda, witnessed the on-the-spot process of fitting artificial limbs, the immediate impact it made on their mobility and also interacted with the beneficiaries.

The High Commissioner participated in a ceremony at Mullaitivu, to hand over Galvanised Corrugated (GC) Sheets and Agriculture ‘Starter Packs’ to the IDP beneficiaries.

The GC sheets are being used by the IDPs to construct their shelters in the new areas of habitation. The Indian Government has so far supplied 5,200 MT (about 500,000 sheets) in two consignments of GC sheets to Sri Lanka at a cost of Sri Lankan Rs. 610 million.

The first lot of 2,600 MT has already been distributed and benefitted about 20,000 families. The second lot of GC sheets is being distributed and is expected to benefit a similar number of families.

The Agriculture ‘Starter Packs’ include basic tools and implements for the IDPs to help them to resume cultivation in their homesteads and subsequently in the farmlands allocated to them. The Indian Government is supplying 70,000 ‘starter packs’ at a cost of about SLR 160 million.

The High Commissioner also met with Local Government officials in Vavuniya, Oddusudan and Mullaitivu, who briefed him on the re-settlement process, the demining operations and reconstruction projects being undertaken in these areas.

During the visit to Oddusudan the High Commissioner also visited the demining camp set up by Indian NGO ‘Sarvatra’ that along with another Indian NGO ‘Horizon’ has seven such items funded by the Indian Government operating in various parts of Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner also visited the Poonthottam Child Housing Camp at Vavuniya and interacted with IDP Children. He also gifted sports items for the young children.

The High Commissioner also visited the General Hospital at Mullaitivu, where he was briefed on the nature of assistance required for making it fully operational.