65 Div Troops Clean Up Schools Before Re-Opening

In the wake of reopening of schools after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, principals of several schools in the general areas of Vellankulam and its suburbs sought the assistance of 65 Division troops in order to have those schools cleaned up as the schools remained closed for more than 10 months.

Accordingly, on the directions of the General Officer Commanding, 65 Division, Major General Anil Samarasiri, 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), 19 SLLI & 17 (V) SLLI troops of the 651 and 652 Brigades actively contributed to the ‘Shramadana’ with parents and cleaned the school surroundings and the buildings during 27-28 October.

During this project, troops completely cleaned up Vellankulam Government Tamil Mixed School, Palinagar Kumaraswamy Primary School, Naddankandal Primary School, Alankulam Primary School, Therankandal Government Tamil Mixed School, Ambalpuram Primary School, Kollavillankulam Primary School, Palinagar Tamil Alagan pre-school and a few other pre-schools.

The successful completion of several vaccination programmes in the areas enabled the school communities to resume classes by reopening the closed schools. Troops also disinfected school compounds and assisted authorities to re-open the schools.

After the ‘Shramadana’ campaign, the principals on behalf of the teachers and the children of those schools extended their gratitude to the Commander of the Army and all personnel of the Army for the assistance given.

Meanwhile, on the instructions of Major General Anil Samarasiri, General Officer Commanding, 65 Division, 651 and 652 Brigade troops numbering over 60 during 2 - 3 November cleaned 17 pre-schools, primary schools, Maha Vidyalaya and Government’s Tamil Mixed Schools prior to their commencement of school sessions after COVID-19 closure. Similarly, separate Shramadana campaigns carried out during 31 Oct - 1 Nov cleaned up 14 pre-schools, primary schools, Maha Vidyalaya and Government’s Tamil Mixed Schools in the Thunukkai Divisional Secretariat area. In addition, troops also cleaned the office complex of the Divisional Secretariat at Thunukkai during the same arrangement.

Again on Thursday (4), 651 and 653 Brigade troops numbering over 40 cleaned up 9 more schools in respective Brigade areas before the classes of these schools began their classes.