ROTARY CLUB OF CAPITAL CITY RI DISTRICT 3220 – SRI LANKA
Mailing Address: No 14, Rodney Place, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka Email: jaliyab@slt.lk Mobile: 077 3017123
Our Club has commenced working on a project to construct and set up a Vocational Training Centre, to benefit the people in Oddusuddan, and also to others in nearby towns. We have commenced the preliminary work, and it is our desire and vision to set up this Centre as soon as possible. Although the date for this event is given as 1st March 2011, we are putting all our energies and efforts to complete this project this year. We welcome all those who like to assist this project in a constructive way. Please find below, the Statement of Facts, as at 31st July 2010, regarding the said project. STATEMENT OF FACTS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT – To establish a Vocational Training Centre in Oddusuddan. SUMMERY 1. Project – Build and hand over a Vocational Training Centre. 2. Location – Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu District. 3. Beneficiaries – 10,000 People resettled in Oddusuddan and also to those who are close to Oddusuddan i.e., Mankulum, Mullaitivu, Puthukudirippu etc. 4. Authority – Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training, Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, 354/2, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05. 5. Land – To be allocated by the Government, with or without already existing buildings. 6. Cost of Project – Will depend on the number of rooms, lecture rooms etc., necessary for the number of Subjects that will be taught in such Institute. Also, if the land which is allocated contains already existing buildings, then whether such buildings can be renovated and used for this project. 7. Funding – Will seek funding depending on the need from the following:(a) Rotary District, Sri Lanka. (b) Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway, Malaysia. (c) Federations of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations (FOMSO) (d) Rotary International, for a Matching Grant. (e) Any other donors. 8. Committee – The following Members will form the committee for the moment, and will include 1
any others, as may be necessary. (a) Jaliya Bodinagoda (b) Supem De Silva (c) Hiran De Silva (d) Senaka Kotagama (e) Lanhai Lin (f) Anoli Ratnayake The following Volunteer has also agreed to give assistance to carry out the project. (a) Buddini Gunawardena 1. Project Rotary Club of Capital City (RCCC), has carried out many projects in Oddusuddan, with the assistance of the 64 Division, Sri Lanka Army in order to assist and compliment the Resettlement Work carried out by the Government. Our Club has provided the following donations/assistance to the people in Oddusuddan, with the assistance of other Organizations, especially FOMSO. (a) 230 tool kits, each tool kit approximately Rs. 5,000/(b) Library Books to 6 Schools – Donation from Asia Foundation (c) Exercise Books, pens, pencils, erasers for 2300 school kids – Value Rs. 150,000/- - Donor FOMSO. (d) Sports goods for 12 schools – Value approx. Rs. 30,000/- Donor FOMSO and Well wishers. (e) 200 Sarees and other garments for 106 teachers, Clothes for approximately 300 school kids – Donation from Sri Premananda Mission. (f) 250 bicycles – Value Rs. 2 Million - Joint project with FOMSO & RCCC (g) Art Work shop for 200 school children – Sponsor Colour Products (Pvt) Limited. (h) Arrangements being done to clean all the wells in the area with the assistance of Jinasena (Pvt) Ltd., and the Army which will provide access to clean drinking water and revive the agriculture and livelihoods of the people in the area. The RCCC project report of work done in Oddusudan can be downloaded from the following link of required. http://issuu.com/kottecapitalcity/docs/oddusuddan_-_july_2010_project_report/1?mode=a_p In order to further assist in the Resettlement Work, it is our idea that a Vocational Training Institute, if established in Oddusuddan, will greatly help the people and assist them to be properly trained in the vocations they choose, and thereby giving them more chances of finding 2
work and also be able to assist one another. It is our objective, to commence this project as soon as possible, even with 1 or 2 subjects, in order to help the people. As time goes by, the project can be expanded according to the Master Plan that will be drawn for this project. The project will be planned and carried out under the guidance and instructions of the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Institute (hereinafter referred to as the said Authority). Once the building and necessary tools and equipment are obtained, the said Authority will take over and manage the said project, for the benefit of the people.
2. Location and beneficiaries. There is a reason for choosing Oddusuddan to carry out this project. Oddusuddan, is a town which have nearly 10,000 people resettled after the war. Furthermore, it is on the A34 road, connecting Mankulum and Mullaitivu. Hence, it is centrally located to many places, where people will be resettled in and around not only in Oddusuddan, but other towns which are close by to Oddusuddan. The sooner, a Vocational Training Centre, is commenced, it is better for the people and will immensely help the people.
3. Authority The planning, constructing and implementation of this project will be done to suit the criteria and requirements of the said Authority – Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka. We have already spoken with Mr. Ranaweera from the said Authority, and are awaiting an appointment to discuss this project, and obtain the necessary information to structure the project and to make a blue print of the Master Plan. We will therefore be guided by the instructions by the said Authority, when implementing this project, as they will be managing and holding the courses. ----------Update - 31st July 2010 We had a very productive meeting with the Officials of the said Authority on 30th July 2010. Supem De Silva, Hiran De Silva, Anoli Ratnayake and Jaliya Bodinagoda attended the meeting with Mr. W.A. Ranaweera, Director General (Actg), Mr. C.R. Samaraweera, Assistant Director (Training) and Mr. Gallaba. The said Officials were very positive and supportive with regard to our proposed project. It was tentatively agreed that both parties will look at starting the following courses at the proposed Centre. 3
1. 3 wheeler repair Course. 2. Motor bicycle repair Course. 3. Sewing Course . The Officials also spoke with Mr. Vinod Raj and informed him to make a site visit to Oddusuddan, which the Army has identified as a suitable place for the present project. Thereafter, upon the Report submitted by such Officer, we will look at renovating the buildings on the site and/or constructing of new buildings for lecture rooms, office etc and Quarters for the Visiting Lecturer. The Officials also agreed to send a list of requirements for this project, so that the project is conducted in a manner, which will receive the due accreditation. The Officials further informed us, that depending on the suitability of the selected site and whether such land is a Crown Land, they would also communicate with the Divisional Secretariat/Government Agent, to facilitate the allocation of the said for this project. It was further agreed, the need of the hour is to commence this project as soon as possible, with the option of expanding the project in the future. It is our view, that it is better to start at least one course as soon as possible, rather than starting 5 courses in 8 months time. After the construction of the necessary buildings, providing the course material, equipment, the Authority will take the project over and will commence the Courses. Thereafter the said Authority will continue the project by providing the necessary qualified lecturers, change of Courses as may be necessary and sustaining the project. They will make the payments to the lecturers and maintain the site. ------------4. Land It is needless to state that unless, the Government and/or the necessary Authority, allocates a land for this purpose, we are unable to go ahead with this project. Hence, the guarantee and/or assurance from the Government that a suitable land will be allocated in Oddusuddan, is a condition precedent and is of paramount importance. We had discussions with Brigadier Sathyappriya Liyanage, 64 Division, Sri Lanka Army in Oddusuddan, in this regard. Upon his initiative, we were able to meet the Governor Northern Province Major General G.A Chandrasiri on 24th July 2010. IPP Hiran De Silva, Anoli Ratnayake and Jaliya Bodinagoda discussed with the Governor, and appraised him of the work done by our club in Oddusuddan and briefly set out the matters pertaining to the proposed project. The Governor requested us to convey to the Sri Lanka Army to find out any unused land or abandoned buildings that could be used for this purpose and to inform him, once a suitable site is ascertained. The Sri Lanka Army is now in the process of attending to this matter, and they have already identified a location, which has two abandoned buildings. The Sri Lanka Army will inform in writing to the Governor, all the information regarding the said site and whether such site is Crown Land as well. The Sri Lanka Army will also keep us informed regarding this matter. 4
After our meeting with the Governor, we are confident that the necessary steps will be taken by the Sri Lanka Army/Governor/Government, to allocate a land for this project.
5. Cost of Project The Cost of the Project will depend on the number of rooms, lecture rooms etc., necessary for the number of Subjects that will be taught in such Institute. Also, if the land which is allocated contains already existing buildings, then whether such buildings can be renovated and used for this project. The Sri Lanka Army has already working on getting a feedback from the people in Oddusuddan, as to the vocational training they would prefer. Depending on the feedback and the subjects that are taught by the said Authority, we would seek to implement this project, to suit the needs of the people. -------------Update 31.07.2010 Our Club will also work on the budget for the Stage I for this project, to set up a Centre to carry out the aforesaid Courses. The Stage I, will have the necessary Lecture Rooms, Practical Rooms to carry out the aforesaid 3 Courses, Office, Toilets, and Quarters for Lecturer. A Plan will be done by Our Club, after a visit to the site. Our President, Mr. Russell Dandeniya will do the necessary architectural drawings and plans. --------------------6. Funding We propose to seek funding depending on the need from the following:(a) Rotary District, Sri Lanka. (b) Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway, Malaysia. (c) Federations of Malaysian Sri Lankan Organisations (FOMSO) (d) Rotary International, for a Matching Grant. (e) Any other donors. ------------------Update 31.07.2010 We have received as of now, pledges amounting to approximately Rs. 500,000/- for this project. ------------------Our Club has already set up a committee to Work on this proposed project, and it is our hope and vision that we will be able to successfully complete this project, as soon as possible, for the benefit of our people in Oddusuddan. 5
Yours in Rotary, Jaliya Bodinagoda
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