From Neminda Samarajeewa
Galle: The delegation of the 'Galle Velson' twin city project co-ordinated by the Netherlands Alumni Association of Lanka [N.A.L.L.] Rs. "40 million" development project which is to be implemented in the Galle town.

The Galle Velson Twin City Project which linked the Municipal Council of Velsen in the Netherlands was launched 25 years ago. When the Velson Municipal Council celebrated the centenary of the North sea cannal in year of 1976.

A visiting delegation from the Velson Municipal Council led by his Mayor Fons Hertog discussed arrangements for setting up these facilities when they met the representatives of the Galle Municipal Council in Galle recently.

Officials of N.A.L.L. Sri Lanka representative S. P. C. Kumarasinghe were also associated with the visiting team during the discussions.

The Netherlands Delegation comprised the Mayor of Velson Fons Hertog promised to give E-Mail facilities to the schools. The members of the delegation agreed to supply E-Mail facilities to all the schools in the Galle district provided they had computer and telephone connections.

Velson mayor promised to supply B.T.S. grounds and stadium at Dadalla. Galle Municipal Engineer W. Gunawardane submitted the estimate regarding the about project and cost of Rs. 1,000,000. His Mayor of Velson Fons Hertog have to do a lot of projects giving priority to the Children's Park, Day Care Centre, Hospital donations etc. and they do not have sufficient funds for all projects therefore they suggested to construct the pavilion stages Velson Mayor said this matter also to be discussed at the Board meeting in Velson second week of month of May.

The Velson City has also provided a fumigation machine five vehicles and two sewing centres which so far have trained over 1,000 young girls in Dadalla and Magalle.

The delegation also donated modern steel furniture to the Richard Pathirana Library in Galle and Velson City authorities have provided a liquid oxygen storage system to the Karapitiya teaching hospital.

N.A.L.L., Sri Lanka representative Kumarasinghe said that the historic links between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands then Ceylon and Holland started when sailing ships of the favour VOC sailed from Amsterdam to Galle harbour centuries ago for trading 121 spices and other items he said.

Jacqueline Hertog, Janny Walshoven assistant to the Mayor The Chairman SOS Velson Jac Zuurbier, and Mike Zuurbier, Klassvan Slooten, Mrs. Donald Helscher, and Mayor of Galle Lionel Premasiri, member of the Advisory Committee former GA Galle P. Hewawasam, Deputy Mayor Galle M.C. Mansoor Marikar and Co-ordinating Secretary Sugath Welivitigoda also participated in the delegation.