Socio Economic Development projects by the Government of Pakistan for the people of Sri Lanka
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1948, the two countries have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship. The civilizational links between two peoples and cultures date back 2500 years, to the time when the Indus and Gandhara civilizations and Buddhist culture had prospered in what is now Pakistan. Both countries have made impressive efforts to preserve and build on these solid foundations.
Since the end of the war and return of normalcy to Sri Lanka, the nation is in the process of rebuilding to stand back on its own for which the Government of Pakistan has reiterated its continued support in several spheres.
In order to assist the people and the Government of Sri Lanka, Pakistan has sponsored many projects in health, education and livelihood sectors in Sri Lanka.
The Government of Pakistan’s contribution to several projects in Sri Lanka recently reflects the desire of the people and government of Pakistan to lend a hand to the people at the grass root level in Sri Lanka.
Some of the important projects undertaken recently as well in the recent past are detailed below.
Pakistan Sponsored 3 storied state of the art School in Gampaha
The Government of Pakistan has sponsored the construction of a 3 storied state of the art school building in Pasyala, Gampaha district in partnership with the Sri Lankan Government to support the education sector development drive of the Sri Lankan government.
The foundation stone of the project was laid on 9th February 2011 which was successfully completed and inaugurated by the Hon Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapksa and the High Commissioner of Pakistan Seema Ilahi Baloch on 17th July 2012.
The newly constructed school will be catering to the local population of the Pasyala area. Presently, the school has an enrollment of over 500 students (both male and female), with 19 teachers as the instructional staff for the institution.
The school building would add 7200 sq ft of floor area which will include all the modern facilities including a library, a fully equipped home science laboratory, and Computer laboratory and class rooms.
The newly constructed school in Pasyala will help to create professionals amongst the young citizens for the future benefit of Sri Lanka and it will further cement the good relationship between the two brotherly countries.
Clean Drinking Water Supply Projects for the Eastern Province
In order to understand the needs of local communities in the selected areas a rapid assessment was conducted by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo in liaison with the Governor Eastern Province, Hon Mohan Wijewickrama and the concerned local government.
The Need Assessment findings presented provision of clean drinking water as a priority project for the selected communities. Accordingly, three projects for provision of clean drinking water were finalized with the assistance of Divisional Secretariat Moraweva, under the guidance of the Hon Governor Eastern Province.
The Divisional Secretariat Morawava, implemented these projects with the assistance of the local communities under the guidance and monitoring of the honorable Governor Eastern Province and the sponsorship of Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.
These Projects are fully funded and gifted by the Government of Pakistan. These projects were handed over to the respective communities subsequent to the inauguration. The villages are inhabited by the resettled muslim, Buddhist Sinhalese and Tamil families.
The Water Supply Projects underscores Pakistan’s commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on water. The Millennium Development Goals aim to cut by half the number of people living without drinking water and basic sanitation by the year 2015.
Akurana Hospital
In early 1980’s the Government of Pakistan extended its support to the Sri Lankan Health care sector and constructed a multi-storied fully-equipped main hospital building at Akurana. The Akurana Hospital is the only government hospital operating in Akurana providing free health care to the public. The Hospital was inaugurated by the late President of Pakistan, Zia Ul Haq during the regime of President Hon. J.R.Jayawardane.
In subsequent years the Government of Pakistan continued to extend its support by adding new facilities to the hospital. In 2005, the Government of Pakistan helped to construct an Intensive Care Unit Ward and an Emergency Ward in the Hospital. These wards were furnished with latest equipments to provide necessary services to the general public. In 2009-2010 Pakistan Government donated a modern color Doppler Ultra Sound Scanner to Akurana Hospital to up grade the available facilities. An ambulance equipped with latest machine was also donated to that hospital through Central Ministry of Health Sri Lanka.
Award of Prestigious Annual Jinnah Scholarship to Sri Lankan students
The Government of Pakistan has been awarding the prestigious annual Jinnah Scholarships to Sri Lanka O/A level students for past 8 years through Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka. The scholarships are named after the great statesman and leader of the Sub Continent, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who is the founder of Pakistan.
The scholarships are awarded strictly on merit while keeping a margin for the destitute students. Under this programme, each successful student receives stipend of SL Rs. 24,000 for one year to follow their advance studies. The Government of Pakistan has been awarding the Jinnah Educational Scholarships since 2005 and so far over 1000 Sri Lankan Students have benefited from this scheme. During the past 8 years over Rs. 25 million worth of scholarships have been awarded for promoting the Sri Lankan youth and as support to the education sector of Sri Lanka.
For year 2012 the Government of Pakistan awarded over SL Rs. 4 million worth of educational scholarships to 165 bright Sri Lankan O/L and A/L students under Jinnah Educational Scholarship programme.
Book Donation
The Government of Pakistan donated Library books to Amina Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Matale, a leading Muslim Girls College in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. HE Seema Ilahi Baloch, the High Commissioner of Pakistan handed over the books on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan. The aim is to improve understanding about Pakistan and to introduce Pakistani culture through books. The books will contribute towards enhancing and improving understanding about Pakistan, its people and culture.
Pakistan Sponsored Computer Centre
The Government of Pakistan has established 30 Computer Centers with advanced training facilities in various parts of Sri Lanka. This project reflects commitment of Pakistan’s towards encoring to ensure basic education and health facilities not only for people of Pakistan but also to become a part of global effort, especially in friendly countries of the South Asia.
Ultra Sound Scanner to Children’s Ward in Maharagama Cancer Hospital and Two Fully Equipped Ambulances
Pakistan Government has donated an ultra sound scanner for the children’s ward of the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama and an ambulance to the hospital through Sri Lankan Health Ministry. This was announced in 2004 by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar during his visit to Sri Lanka, terming it a gesture of goodwill and appreciation of friendship.
Another Fully Equipped ambulance was donated by Pakistan Government for Bukawella Hospital through Provincial Health Department in 2008/2009.
Pakistan Pavilion at the International Buddhist Museum Kandy
In response to the invitation by the Government of Sri Lanka to establish an International Buddhist Museum, the Government and people of Pakistan contributed the Pakistan Pavilion at the Sri Dalada International Museum of World Buddhism Kandy.
The Pakistan Pavilion was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksha in May last year. This pavilion offers an excellent opportunity for the visitors to access religious information about the Buddhist sacred places in Pakistan.The Pakistan pavilion is composed of two chambers namely Gandhara and Taxilla, and it contains replies of excavated Buddhist monuments from these respective regions. Despite being a predominantly Muslim country the people and the government of Pakistan have preserved the heritage sites and the places of worship belonging to other religious communities.
Kandy Jinnah Hall Project
The Jinnah Hall, named after the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was established with the assistance of the Government of Pakistan immediately after partition.
In 2004 additional construction was carried out in the Jinnah Memorial Hall, Kandy to extend the existing premises. Subsequently, in 2006 Pakistan’s High Commission in Sri Lanka refurbished Jinnah Hall Kandy The Jinnah Hall consists of a modern mini-auditorium, a computer centre, a library and a hall for around 350 people. Under the new project two floors have been added to the existing building of the Hall, which remains a centre for various social gatherings and community functions in the City.
The project was jointly completed by the High Commission for Pakistan and the Kandy Muslim Traders Association (KMTA) at a cost of around six million rupees. The Pakistan government continues to assist in uplifting and expanding the facility which has now acquired the status of an icon of Pakistan Sri Lanka traditional friendship.