Victorian Premier Steve Bracks made his first visit to tsunami-ravaged parts of Sri Lanka today (18/4/06) where Plan is rebuilding communities devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

The visit follows the Victorian Government’s announcement in January this year of a $1.25 million grant to Plan for the construction of a 3000-pupil primary and secondary school complex in Hambantota – one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami.

While in Sri Lanka, Premier Bracks will meet Plan staff involved in the Ruhunu School construction project and hear first hand about the project's progress.

“The Victorian Government established a $10 million assistance package following the devastating tsunami on December 26, 2004 and a large proportion of this fund will go towards helping rebuild communities and infrastructure in Sri Lanka" Mr Bracks said.

So far, four post-tsunami reconstruction projects have been announced. All are designed to respond to the needs of local communities and one of these projects is the Ruhunu School in partnership with Plan, Mr Bracks said.

Plan national executive director in Australia Ian Wishart said the $1.25 million grant is funding the first phase of the Ruhunu School in the Hambantota district which will see primary and secondary students attending classes as early as September 2006.

“Once complete, this school will rival any modern school in Australia and will contribute significantly to raising the educational standard for Sri Lankan children from this tsunami-affected district.

“The second phase of the co-educational school, which includes the construction of boarding accommodation for 100 students, is due to be completed in August 2007. Presently, in order to receive a quality education, many students are sent away by their parents to attend national boarding schools in other districts,” Mr Wishart said.

Plan is one of the world’s largest child centred community development organisations which has no religious or political affiliation.

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Ian Wishart - National Executive Director, Plan
0411 595 573

Tim Cansfield-Smith - Media & Comms Manager, Plan
0411 642 194