Japan’s Ritsumeikan Academy’s tsunami relief work

The Ritsumeikan Academy, the founding organization of the Asia Pacific University of Japan, is actively involved in tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka and Indonesia through the Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster Relief Project.

It is supporting the reconstruction of schools in disaster-stricken regions and supporting the fostering of human potential for the sake of restoration. Under this project, the Ritsumeikan Academy has raised a budget of Rs 16 million. These funds have been collected from members of the university faculty, staff, alumni, students, parents, related organizations and the general public.

The Ritsumeikan Academy is currently providing support for the Al-Aqsa Vidyalaya School located in Pottuvil, Southeast of Sri Lanka in the reconstruction of the school’s assembly hall and playground.

Construction work of the assembly hall and playground began in August 2006 and is expected to be completed in January 2007. A presentation ceremony will be held on February 12 at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo with the participation of many dignitaries, including Ariyaratne Hewage, Secretary - Ministry of Education and I.M. Fernando, Director of School Works - Ministry of Education.

The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University will be represented by its Vice Chancellor Dr. Monte Cassim and Lecturer Dr. Ichiro Fujiyama who is also the Project Leader of the Ritsumeikan Academy Indian Ocean Tsunami Relief Project.