School renovation completed in Kanniya

Field Engineers of the Sri Lanka Army on a directive made by Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General S. H. S Kottegoda embarked on the task of repairing and renovating dilapidated buildings and toilets at Kanniya Mixed Government School, Trincomalee after the school compound and surroundings were cleared of mines.

A brief ceremony on Thursday (04) saw those buildings restored as a result of financial grants made by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Sri Lanka are formally handed over to school authorities after its successful completion. It was a long-felt need of this school with over 400 students. Labour for the renovation was donated by the fourth Engineer Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army, who stood behind the project until its completion. Major General D. V S. Y Kulathunga, General Officer 22 Division, Mrs. Mario Rajanayagam, AMCHAM representative, Mr Fredrik Palsson, RONCO and Brigadier A. M. A Chandrasiri, Commander Engineers Brigade, Senior officials of the Department of Education, Trincomalee, Principal, tutorial staff and a large gathering of parents attended the ceremony this morning.

This gesture of goodwill and cooperation through understanding was undertaken after an initial survey for buried mines in the school premises was carried out by the Army Field Engineers.

The assignment was undertaken by the Commander of the Army in response to a request made by the American Ambassador and the AMCHAM on an initiative made by the US based RONCO Corporation. RONCO has been providing de-mining training, equipment and technical know-how to the humanitarian de-mining work in Sri Lanka since 2003.

A Press Release issued in this connection by the US Embassy in Colombo on Tuesday said that the roofs, sanitary facilities, and outbuildings of the school were renovated using Rs. 200,000 raised by AMCHAM at the Ambassador's Ball held earlier this year