The Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Tung-Lai Margue, members of the European Parliament, with the Director and Representative of UNOPS, Francoise Jacob, Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Z.A. Nazeer Ahamed and Government Agent PSM Charles launched the newly built Cluster Engineered Landfill in Chenkalady. The event also witnessed the handing over of the facility to the Provincial Council and Local Authorities.
The landfill built at a cost of over Rs. 275 million, is an important component of the integrated solid waste management system being implemented in the Batticaloa district.
Technical and operational support for this initiative was provided by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with funding from the European Union. The facility also includes a composting plant within the premises for processing of biodegradable waste. The landfill and larger waste management system will benefit over 400,000 people.
Ambassador Margue with the UNICEF Deputy Representative Dr. Paula Bulancea, . Minister of Rehabilitation and Resettlement M.A.M Hizbullah and Government Agent Mrs P.S.M. Charles also launched a newly constructed Health Centre at Kattankudy. The centre will provide vital healthcare including maternal and child nutrition services to nearly 54,000 people in the Kattankudy area and neighbouring communities.
The initiative, which was also funded by the European Union has been implemented by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and will help to meet the most essential health needs of the community.
The EU delegates with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Nina Brandstrup and officials of the Department of Animal Production and Health, visited dairy farmers in the Batticaloa district.
The dairy project provides support to 480 dairy farmers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka including 40 farmers in the Batticaloa district. The objective is to boost milk production in the provinces by increasing the milk yield to over five lieres per cow per day.
This is being done by assisting farmers to construct cattle sheds and set up fodder units, and through training on business planning and capacity building, thereby ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small scale dairy farmers.