EU funds education, health projects in East

Education, health and water and sanitation services in Eastern Sri Lanka have received a welcome boost, thanks to European Union funding through UNICEF, in schools and community health clinics, states an European Union press release.

The release adds: Three new schools and two health centres have been officially opened in the Eastern Province, representing a total investment of more than 90 million rupees (600,000 euros).

"It is rewarding to see the EU assistance reaching the beneficiaries especially the children in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts. We are positive that this partnership with UNICEF in collaboration with the relevant government authorities will help make a meaningful change in the education and health services in eastern Sri Lanka," Bernard Savage, Head of Delegation - Delegation of the European Union said.

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative, Reza Hossaini said: "We thank the EU for its generosity and for investing in children. Ensuring all children and women, no matter where they live, have access to decent education and health services is important if we, in partnership with the government, are to help to build a durable peace."

The three schools are T/M Sri Shanpaha Maha Vidyalayam, in Eechilampattu, Trincomalee District, BT/BW Panchenia Pari Vidyalayam, in Panchenai, Vavunathivu, Batticaloa District and BT/BW Kanchirankudah Kamatchi Vidyalayam, in Kanchirankudah, Batticaloa District. Each school will provide an education for 710, 367 and 309 pupils, respectively.

The two health clinics will serve a total population of more than 7,000 in Pondukalchenai and Pullumalai, in the East. Among the services offered by the two health clinics are ante-natal clinics, well-baby clinics and nutrition rehabilitation for under-nourished children.

The EU is providing a total of around 10 million rupees (71,000 euros) in grant assistance for the two health clinics.

The EU will grant more than nine million euros in a project known as 'Building the future for conflict-affected communities in the Eastern province'. These new education and health facilities are part of this wider investment in pubic services.