THE SECOND Psycho-social Development Centre “Mahilchi Illam” (Happiness Centre) in the North, constructed using a share of the proceeds collected from an Army organized musical evening was declared open on Sunday (9) at Pandiyankulam Maha Vidyalaya, Nadankandal in Manthe East division.
Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Commander, Security Forces, Wanni and Competent Authority for IDPs, amidst a gathering of excited school children, teachers and villagers, ceremonially opened the second of its kind in the entire north.
The project was sponsored by Sri Lanka Army as a part of their “Winning the Hearts & Minds” campaign which is aimed at reaching out to the communities, deeply affected by the war, with co-sponsorship from International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The psycho-social centre is equipped with material for arts and crafts, a library, musical instruments, educational toys, TV and DVD, sports equipment, etc., which will provide the children with an opportunity to explore their creative talents, play and have fun, bringing back their lost childhood.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Major General Kamal Gunaratne requested the people of the village to forget the past and not to point fingers at each other. “Our endeavor should be to get together as one community and work towards the development of the country. We military people are here to help you to improve the quality of life. So, please help us to help you” said Major General Kamal Gunaratane.
Pandiyankulam is an isolated rural village in Mulaittivu District, approximately 10 km south of Mallavi, which had been completely under the control of the LTTE in the past three decades, until the Sri Lanka Army troops liberated the area last year.
“Initially, during the resettlement of IDPs in this area in December 2009, the people were reluctant to talk or even smile with us and we were like aliens to them” said Colonel Sampath Kotuwegoda, Commander of 612 Brigade, in charge of the area and whose Brigade undertook the renovations and setting up of the Psychosocial Centre. “They were not confident enough to move about freely with us and the students and teachers of Pandiyankulam school were no exception to this,” added Colonel Kotuwegoda.
Sri Lanka Army which played a pivotal role in this project by providing financial support and skilled labour, motivated and galvanized not only the school but the entire community.
“Setting up of psych-osocial centres in the North is a very important aspect of the resettlement and rehabilitation process in helping children to forget their traumatic experiences” said Dr A. S. A. Safras, Coordinator of Resettlement & Rehabilitation (North) of the Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition which has been supporting and facilitating this initiative conceptualized and coordinated by Mrs Manori Unambuwe.
“Since August 2009, lives of over 5000 children have been touched through various psychosocial activities in the IDP welfare villages and we hope to continue with opening more of such centres in the North and East, as a school based initiative with the next centres identified in Pooneryn, Killinochchi & Oddusudan ” said Ms Unambuwe.
Speaking of the transformation due to the psychosocial centre, Colonel Kotuwegoda said, “The school was looking very dull with few partially damaged buildings standing and a trench running across the school garden. Starting construction of the center in Pandiyankulam Vidyalaya was the beginning of a dramatic change in the school as well as the village. The Principal and the teachers were very hesitant at the early stages of the project but as the things started rolling, their attitude too started changing. The villagers too joined hands with us to make this dream come true. Today, the school has got a complete facelift. The trench which reminded them of darker days of the war is no more. Now the school garden is covered with white sand and neatly cut green grass with buildings, looking brighter and colourful and the students and teachers have got a new lease in life. They all come with their smiling faces and express their gratitude in very polite manner. The whole village gathered at the school for the opening ceremony, with their faces, filled with smiles again after so many years of tears.
The center has become an eye-opener to everyone in Pandiyankulam to understand their brothers & sisters in the south which was restricted by the LTTE earlier. This small room has paved a long way for national harmony, he added.
Another highlight was an art competition, where the school children were requested to draw wall murals on the school building, in order to bring out their hidden creativity and join in the transformation. The competition was judged by Mrs Imelda Sukumar, District Secretary for Mullaitivu who is an ardent supporter of this initiative and the first prize was won by a 16 year old student whose wall painting depicting, national and social integration of all communities, was outstanding and colourful.
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