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About Samanikethanaya

The Inspiration
Link has been working with Sri Lankan partners since 1999 and therefore has acquired in-depth practical knowledge of Sri Lanka.  This has enabled appropriate aid initiatives to be developed. 

Samanikethanaya was inspired by events immediately after the Tsunami, which affected parts of Sri Lanka in 2004.  Developed in consultation with long-established links in the country, Link wanted to establish a sustainable and long-term means of delivering aid.

The Construction
Link has raised over £90,000, mostly from the Tayside and Fife areas, to build Samanikethanaya Dundee International Centre.  Samanikethanaya means ‘House of Peace’.  Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2008-03-27.

These are the latest pictures taken of the construction, taken in December 2007.

Where?
The centre is located at Talawa, near Anaradhrapura in central Sri Lanka.  This is ideal for serving people from all parts of Sri Lanka. 

How?
Through skilled people from Scotland contributing at the centre, in an exchange of skills at a localised level.  Those in Sri Lanka who have no access to vocational training otherwise are provided new opportunities.  With partnerships created between the two countries, mutual commercial and social benefit will develop. 

Link is currently approaching Scotland-based organisations to encourage partnership with Samanikethayana.  These partners have knowledge they can offer the initiative, as well as staff and associates that can contribute at Samanikethanaya in person.  Expertise in areas such as medical research, crop research, graphic design, technology enterprise etc. is to be found in the east of Scotland.

Why?
The provision of aid comes in many forms.  Question marks were raised over the handling of monetary aid during the post-Tsunami aid relief effort.  Link feels this initiative to be sustainable, in that the Samanikethanaya model is a practical means of delivering help to people.  Funding can be channelled into programmes that provide.

Sri Lanka lost more than just lives in the Tsunami; whole communities, businesses and infrastructures were destroyed.  Samanikethanaya can give Sri Lanka the tools it needs to rebuild communities and economies.

Funding

Many groups and individuals have contributed to the success of Samanikethanaya, we acknowledge them here:

Lloyd’s TSB Foundation for Scotland

Funding a coordinating role between Scotland and Sri Lanka for Samanikethanaya over a 3 year period.  This will involve the establishment of management systems and initiation of the exchange of skills.  

Dundee City Council

Lord Provost Letford presented Link with a cheque for £50,000, to cover part of the expenses incurred for building Samanikethanaya, or Dundee International Centre.

Fife Council

Donated £23,000 pounds to the initiative, also to help construction costs.  The council are keen to see partnerships formed between Saminekethanaya and Fife-based institutions, especially schools and colleges.

 

 

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