Reconstruction work on the Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam complex started early this month in the Batticaloa District under the European Commission's tsunami assistance programme for Sri Lanka.

This school complex, is being financed from the EC's overall post-tsunami aid package of EUR 147 million (approximately LKR 24.2 billion) which covers not only affected districts in the south and east but also has provision to support the affected districts in the north.

The reconstruction of Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam, which was completely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami, will include permanent buildings for the students currently studying in temporary buildings with considerable difficulties. The school complex includes a primary and secondary school, which will benefit over 800 students from Grades 1 to 13, who will now be able to continue their education under improved conditions.

The EC's implementing agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and their selected contractor are scheduled to finish reconstruction of the school by 2009.

The European Union is making an additional allocation of EUR 60 million (approximately LKR 10 billion) in 2008, for housing and socio-economic community infrastructure to support livelihoods in the north and the east.