‘Stay Safe-Bright Future’ inter-school awarding ceremony

“Stay Safe-Bright Future” inter-school awarding ceremony 2012 was held at the Mullaitivu Vidyananda College in Mulliayaweli on October 12 . This was the third consecutive year that this programme was organized by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD).

Since the programme’s inception in 2010, the FSD set up Community Liaison teams to conduct educational activities aimed at reducing the risk of injury from mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) by raising awareness and promoting behavioral change through public information campaigns, education and training, and liaison with communities at the FSD areas of responsibility in north Sri Lanka.

The Mine Awareness programme organized by FSD is basically a guideline to avoid accidental mine and UXO explosions which would affect war tone areas. The competition held within 13 schools covering the entries of essay writing, poetry, drawing, speeches, and dramas under the FSD Areas of Responsibilities in Pudukuduirippu and Maritimepattu DS Divisions. There 345 students were received the certificates, medals, trophies and prizes.

Mullaitivu District Government Agent Nagalingam Vedhnayagm who was the Chief Guest on the occasion said educating children in mine awareness programmes is very important and thanked FSD for their invaluable service in this regard. He further mentioned that paddy fields and jungle areas still need to be cleared as many people’s livelihood depended on these areas.

FSD Country Manager Hartmut Thomas said over 2,000 students participated in the competition and this is also an indirect approach to train parents through children. He thanked the Australian Aid for their generous support in current FSD operations in Sri Lanka.

A message from the Australian Aid for the event stated that ‘staying safe from the threat of landmines and UXOs is an essential step in helping communities to recover and we will continue to be a partner in supporting the Government and the people of Sri Lanka in their reconstruction and recovery efforts’. Brigadier S.K. Ehelamalpe, Project Director DRSS Kachcheri J.K. Kanesamoorthy, Deputy Country Director Swiss Development Cooperation Martin Studer, Project Manager Swiss Development Cooperation Alessandro Mattle, First Secretary Political Embassy of Switzerland David Vignati, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Country Researcher – Sri Lanka and Campaigner for Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines Vidya Abhayagunawardena, U.K. Singh of SARVATRA De-mining , Regional Mine Action Office in Mulaitivue, UNICEF, school principals, teachers, parents and people of the area were present at this event.