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Batticaloa & Potuvil, in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka 

We requested Mr. Pavalakanthan, Director of Education of Batticaloa to let us know the requirements of Bicycles and Sewing Machines for the Tsunami affected victims in Navalady. On the basis of his intimation to us we have placed an order for 200 Bicycles and 50 Sewing Machines. As mentioned earlier these two items are in short supply and we have to be in the queue for the delivery and are yet to receive the Bicycles and Sewing Machines. 

A company in USA showed interest in building free hostel accommodation to the children (affected by Tsunami Tidal waves) who lost the breadwinner of the family.  At their request we have sent a team to take video of the site and conduct interviews with the affected children.  We have now prepared a DVD presentation for two hostels - one for 200 children in Batticaloa and another for 100 children in Komari / Thirukovil area in the Pottuvil district.  We are waiting to receive a response from the Company in USA. 

Income Generation Project for the victims of the village Navalady in Batticaloa 

Thiraimadu (Navalady) is a village in Batticaloa in the Eastern Province. This village is sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Batticaloa lagoon and received severe onslaught by the Tsunami tidal waves on December 26, 2004. The Government Agent, Batticaloa has sent to us a project report on Income Generation to the victims at Thiraimadu (Navalady). He informed us that the full cost of 15 HP Motor & nets, etc. would be SL Rs. 260,000 (= US $. 2,600 or £. 1,400 or Aus $. 3,300).  On the basis that initially 3 families would share a unit, Navalady requires 140 units. 

In this connection we have approached ITDG South Asia to assist us.  They have agreed to provide the raw materials and technical know how free of charge to the fishermen themselves to construct the Boats.  It would be appreciated if we could develop this remote village by finding sponsors for providing one or more units of 15 HP Motor & Fishing Nets or even donating a part of the cost.  The families are at present living in frustration. This gesture on the part of the sponsors by donating the required amount would undoubtedly provide the unfortunate surviving persons with the much needed livelihood.  It would be noted that the kind gesture on the part of ITDG South Asia has reduced our requirements of funds for this project. 

Donors who would like to contribute towards units of motors or part thereof are kindly requested to stipulate in their covering letter that their donation is for “Navalady Project” in the Batticaloa district. 

Killinochchi in the Vanni area of Sri Lanka 

We have received the 50 bicycles for school girls. We would transport them to Killinochchi and hand them over to the school girls shortly.  The 50 Bicycles have now been handed over to the school girls. 

Income Generation Project for the victims of the village Kallaru in Killinochchi 

The Government Agent, Killinochchi informed us that with the approval of the Government he has allotted land to 224 families in Kallaru in Kandavalai which is a remote village bordering Mullaitivu district and was badly damaged in the recent catastrophe.  The lands allotted are 2 Km to 3 Km away from the beach.  He informed us  that the full cost of a fishing boat, nets, etc. would be SL Rs. 360,000 (= US $. 3,600 or £. 2,000 or Aus $. 4,500).  On the basis that initially 3 families would share a unit Kallaru requires 75 units. 

It would be appreciated if we could develop this remote village by finding sponsors for providing one or more units of Boat, 15 HP Motor & Fishing Nets or even donating a part of the cost.  The families are at present living in frustration. This gesture on the part of the sponsors by donating the required amount would undoubtedly provide the unfortunate surviving persons with the much needed livelihood. 

We would approach ITDG South Asia or similar organization with a view of getting assistance for the construction of Boats.  Initial response from ITDG was that they would now proceed with the Navalady project and consider Kallaru project at a later date.

In the meantime we requested the Government Agent, Killinochchi and the representatives of the Fishermen’s Co-operative Society to explore the possibilities of setting up their own Boat construction Yard at Killinochchi so that we could do the construction at a cheaper rate.  We would wait for their response.  

Donors who would like to contribute towards units of boats or part thereof are kindly requested to stipulate in their covering letter that their donation is for “Kallaru Project” in the Killinochchi district.

Mamunai village in Vadamarachchi East of the Jaffna district. 

We are taking steps to procure 30 units of Motor Boats & Fishing Nets for 30 families at Mamunai in the Vadamarachchi East in Jaffna District, the total cost of these items would be approximately SL Rs. 10,800,000 (= US $ 120,000).  

We placed an initial order for 15 Motor Boats & Fishing Nets to be handed over to some of the families affected by Tsunami at the Mamunai village in the Vadamarachchi East of the Jaffna district.  In view of a great demand for Boats the firm with which we placed the previous order informed us that our order for another 15 Boats would be lower down in the queue.  We have, however, placed the order for the second lot of 15 Boats with them.  We have also placed an order for only 25 Motors (15 HP each) for the 30 units and unable to place the order for another 5 motors as the Motors are now in very short supply.  We are waiting for details of the types of Nets to procure the Fishing Nets for the 30 Boats.

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