Rs 84m vocational training centre handed over:

Skills boost for Batticaloa youth

A new Rs. 84 million Red Cross Vocational Training Centre is expected to boost the skills of jobless youth in the Batticaloa district.

Courses in subjects such as information technology, carpentry and garment trade will start early next year, said a Sri Lanka Red Cross official. Twenty trainees will be recruited to each course.

“I hope this centre will contribute immensely for the betterment of the people in Batticaloa”, said Head of Regional Office for Southeast Asia of Italian Red Cross Pino Ungraro.

He was speaking at the handing over ceremony held on November 3.

The centre, initiated by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) was completed with financial support of Italian Red Cross.

Ungraro said a previously unused, overgrown block of land had turned into a beautiful vocational training centre with the support of Italian Red Cross, paving the way for the youth to improve skills and find jobs. SLRCS National Secretary S.H. Nimal Kumar said the centre will contribute towards the economic prosperity of the country.

It will also help create more and more skilled labour to meet the current and future requirements of the area, he said.

He added: “In the midst of a conflict situation, the Batticaloa district was badly hit by the tsunami.

“Our branch and volunteers were engaged in excellent humanitarian work. Together with movement partners’ support, recovery and reconstruction programs were launched.

“One third of housing needs of tsunami victims was met by the Red Cross. A large number of projects in health infrastructure, livelihood, water and sanitation were completed”.

Acting Batticaloa branch Chairman Sunil Dissanayake, Italian Red Cross Country Co-ordinator Ronarldo were also present at the ceremony.