September 21, 2008: Peace Resource Center Trincomalee Opens to the Public

On the 21st of September 2008 the Peace Resource Center in Trincomalee officially started its services. With support from the Province of Burgenland, the Peace Resource Center has been well equipped. More than 5,000 books are available in the peace library. In order to support language instruction, the peace center was also equipped with a modern language laboratory.

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Download our report on:

Post Tsunami RECONSTRUCTION & BEYOND:
A conflict sensitive approach to rebuilding homes and communities in Sri Lanka.

The report is available in the working paper section of the IICP website.

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December 26th, 2007- Peace Resource Centre Handing Over Ceremony

The Peace Resource Centre in Trincomalee was inaugurated on the day of 3rd Tsunami anniversary at the Sarvodaya District Centre in Trincomalee. The centre was funded by the Austrian Province of Upper-Austria, and the construction was implemented by the IICP through its local partner, Sarvodaya.

The next step will be to set up the library and the language laboratories. The library will contain information on the Sri Lankan peace process, conflict resolution and interrelated strategies promulgated by the Sarvodaya Movement.The language laboratory will be a place for Sri Lankans of all communities to learn Tamil, Sinhala and English, and so increase the opportunities for exchange and foster mutual understanding.

The Centre will also work for peace through trainings and capacity building in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. A blend of Eastern and Western methods of conflict transformation and peace building will be taught to village leaders and youth. Interfaith and inter-communal activities will be given priority.

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October 1st, 2007- Vaddavan Handing Over Ceremony

The handing over ceremony was attended by the IICP team; Mr. Peter Rabl, president of Kurier Aid Austria; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive director of Sarvodaya; His Lordship Dr. Kingsley Swampillai Bishop of Batticaloa; Mr. S. Arumainayagam, the Government Agent for Batticaloa, Swamiji Arthmananji, the Chief of Ramakrishna Mission, Batticaloa, as well as other dignitaries. Groups from other communities also participated.

The Vaddavan project included 200 houses, which were built with the active participation of the beneficiaries with assistance from our implementing partner Sarvodaya. A youth center, a library and a community care unit were also built.

See the Invitation to the opening of Vaddavan

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September 30th, 2007 - Addapalam Handing Over Ceremony

The handing over ceremony was attended by the IICP team; Hon. Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing and Common Amenities; Mr. Peter Rabl, president of Kurier Aid Austria; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive director of Sarvodaya; Hon. M. T. Hasan Ali, Deputy Minister for Supplementary Plantation Crops Development; Hon. M. C. Faizal Cassim, Deputy Minister for Scientific Affairs, and Mr. S. Kannangara who is the Government Agent for Ampara.

One hundred homes and a community center were rebuilt in Addapalam, Ninthavur. Addapalam is the first reconstructed village that has succeeded in establishing Tamil and Muslim coexistence within one single village.

See the Invitation to the opening of Addapalam (pdf)

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March 28th, 2006 - Dam Niyamgama (Lagoswatte) Handing Over Ceremony

The opening of the village Dam Niyamgama was attended by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, as well as Dr. Ari Ariyaratne, the founder of Sarvodaya and other dignitaries.

Dam Niyamgama, in the district of Kalutara, is the first eco-village of Sri Lanka. In total, 55 houses were rebuilt, along with a multi-purpose community center. The houses were built according to the UNEP guidelines for construction of eco-houses in Tsunami-affected areas in Asia.