A warm welcome was given to the National Director of Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC, Revd. Fr. Luke Nelson Perera, on 5th of October 2022 at HUDEC-Caritas Jaffna.
HUDEC-Caritas Jaffna Director, Revd. Fr. Saverian Eugene Francis presided over the ceremony.
The Vicar General Diocese of Jaffna, the Most Revd. Fr. Josephdas Jebaratnam graced the occasion. In his address, he indicated three main issues prevailing in Jaffna District today. They are Drug addiction, Economic Crisis and Ecological Crisis – climate change.
Staff of Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC Ms. Nirosha Chathurani, Programme Coordinator,Caritas Korea Educational Assistance & Ms. Michelle Seneviratne, Head of Community Empowerment & Safe Migration Unit & Civic Dialogue were also present.
The team met the CBO members of Civic Dialogue Programme at Maniamthoddam, Anaikoddai and Moor Street. They appreciated the work of SHGs such as Batik cloth making, Coir rug production, Sesame oil production, Nutritional food preparation, home gardening, Palmyra products and cattle rearing.
The team also visited a family engaged in Poultry at Columbuthurai, funded by Mr. Gerard Chitty, Australia.
The National Centre Director opened the ‘Irasil Farm’ a Poultry Farm at St. Francis Xavier’s Seminary, Columbuthurai ceremonially on the 6th of October 2022.
The NC Team also visited NEFAD Fishnet Factory at Beach Road, Jaffna. The factory, which produces fish nets, was declared opened on 6th of May 2010, ceremonially. This factory was initially funded by the Victoria Govt. Australia, Caritas Australia, Caritas France and the Tamil expatriates in Australia, and has continued to function ever since. 196 million LKR were spent to build the factory. (1.9 million Australian Dollars).
