Australia grants Rs 5 million for rural development

Sunil C. Perera in Colombo
The Acting Australian High Commissioner, Dr Matthew Hyndes presented funds worth Rs 5 million to six local organisations under the Australian Government’s Direct Aid program (DAP) in a ceremony on 19 February.

Speaking at the occasion Dr Hyndes emphasised that “The High Commission takes great pride in the Direct Aid Program which allows us the opportunity to work with organisations such as the six organisations gathered today, each of which is working in their communities, in different parts of the country to assist disadvantaged people”

DAP projects have benefited female headed households, children, the disabled, the elderly and the rural poor, among others.
In this funding round, Dr Hyndes presented funds to Child Vision in Puttalam for the purchase and installation of physiotherapy equipment for a disabled children’s clinic, The Voluntary Organisation for Vulnerable Community Development to support livelihood projects for 50 tsunami and conflict families in Trincomalee, Women’s Development Centre for a cattle management project for women headed households in Lahugala, Sith Sevana Mentally Handicapped Children’s Development Society for three classrooms for mentally handicapped children in Thanamalwila, Women’s Development Foundation for a cattle management project in a poor farming community in Anuradhapura and Samata Sarana for a livelihood project for 100 families in Mutwal.