This press release has been issued by the Royal Netherlands Embassy Colombo

18 September 2003

Her Excellency Mrs. Susan Th. Blankhart, Ambassador of The Kingdom of the Netherlands recently visited the Mannar District for the official opening of a two-storey school at Murunkan Maha Vidyalaya, that was newly built under the north east community restoration development project (NECORD).

She also inspected the projects executed by ZOA Refugee Care Sri Lanka in the Manthai West DS Division and Nanttan DS Division in the Mannar District. The Netherlands Embassy has contributed to ZOA Refugee Care Sri Lanka and NECORD a total sum of 3.447.338,= Euro for their ongoing activities.

The Ambassador also had a constructive dialogue with a LTTE representative, on issues such as a principled approach towards support for development as well as the relation and co-operation with TRO, and NGO’s such as ZOA Refugee Care.
The Ambassador emphasised in her speech that the opening of the school is another indication of a return to normalcy, after decades of brutal war. She congratulated NECORD team and the Provincial and Local Authorities, for having done so much to date in helping communities making a start to overcome their traumatic war experience, towards a better life. She further said that schools are prominent symbols and have crucial functions as they teach the young generations not only the necessary life skills and knowledge, but also the norms, values and culture of its society. “It is therefore, gratifying to see this beautiful school, ready to receive the children”, she said. “However, we should not forget that the building only provides a necessary means and that what is really important is what is taught inside the school and the care and attention given to the children, many of whom have suffered from traumatic experiences”.

Speaking a few words on the current situation, with an ongoing peace process, she stressed that it is crucial that children - being the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow - understand the underlying social, economic and political causes of the conflict which have ravaged the country for decades.

She further said, “In this respect, when I speak about a return to normalcy, I certainly do not refer to the pre-conflict situation of the eighties, where rifts and divisions were created between ethnic and religious groups, but rather one where tolerance, acceptance and respect for other cultures, norms and beliefs exist. Previous biases will have to be overcome in order to lay the foundation for a multicultural, pluralistic and prosperous society”.

In conclusion, the Ambassador stated that, in all its development co-operation efforts, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will continuously endeavour to further support the concepts of respect, dignity, empathy and understanding, which are fundamental for a peaceful co-existence for all Sri Lankans. After all, a united and harmonious Sri Lanka is the essential pre-condition for its sustainable development