Munchee extends support to Kalliyady Village in Mannar

Saturday, 4 June 2011 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Munchee, the flagship brand of Ceylon Biscuits Limited, through its community development initiative ‘Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana Programme,’ provided a water service facility to villagers in Kalliyady, a part of the Manthai West AGA Division in the Mannar District.

The village which is situated about 365 Kms from Colombo had been continuously a hot spot during the war and its habitants have gone through more and enough hardships during that time. The people of Kalliyady village have been just resettled after ending the war with the assistance of the Army.

Traditionally the main problem which restrains their day-to-day life has been the scarcity of water and as such water for drinking purpose was supplied through bowsers by the Government subject to limitations. Having a bath was undoubtedly considered a luxury for the villagers of Kalliyady.

In an attempt to bring relief for those living in the village, Brigadier M.A.S.K. Muhandhiram, the Brigade Commander of 541 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army, whose brigade is in charge of the security in the area, made a request for assistance through the Munchee Sales Team in the area.

Munchee promptly agreed to support this worthy cause through its ‘Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana Programme’ by providing financial assistance. The 541 Brigade volunteered to handle the construction of the water service project free of charge.

It was decided to construct a tube well to get water and to provide common area for bathing and drinking separately. An additional water supply was also given to Kalliyady Tamil School for drinking purposes.

Prof. V.K. Dissanayake of the Geological Faculty, Peradeniya University has assisted to identify a suitable location for the tube well. The total project was completed within a short period in keeping with the objectives of the ‘Munchee Samaga Gamata Sarana Programme’.

The water service facility for the Kalliyady village was vested in public last week amidst a large gathering of people including religious dignitaries, Army officers, Government officials and officials from Ceylon Biscuits Limited.

Among the invitees were General Officer Commanding of 54 Division Brigadier Maithri Dias, AGA of Manthai West K. Pirabakaramoorthy and Field Sales Manager (North) Ceylon Biscuits Limited Ranjith Wickramasinghe. Brigadier Muhandhiram and Manager – Public Relations of Ceylon Biscuits Limited Janaka Boteju were also present.

As a result of this project probably for the first time the villagers have got an opportunity to bathe with unspoiled water from a shower while enjoying an unlimited supply of water for drinking. On behalf of the people, Pirabakaramoorthy thanked Munchee and the Sri Lanka Army for coming forward to relieve the people from the scarcity of water by inaugurating the Kalliyady water service facility.

To mark the occasion, Munchee also awarded ‘Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara’ – student assistance for education – to five students of the Kalliyady Tamil School, including a girl who had lost one of her legs during the war.