The Asia-Greater Lyon Solidarity Group and the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka entered into a Partnership convention with the aim of continuing French aid for the Post Tsunami reconstruction of Sri Lanka.

The partnership Convention for the rapid implementation of the above project was signed between the Deputy Minister of Health Minister Jayarathne Herath and the Vice – President of Greater Lyon Alain Joly. Yves-Alain Corporeau – Counsellor for Cooperation and Development of the French Embassy was also present at this simple ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Health.

Taking into consideration the devastation suffered by Sri Lanka owing to the 26 December 2004 Tsunami, the urban community of Lyon has expressed its willingness to take an active part in the rehabilitation in the affected areas in the south of the Island.

In this capacity the Asia- Greater Lyon Solidarity Group in collaboration with V`E9olia Waterforce has come forward to help in providing assistance for rehabilitation through water purification for two selected national hospitals in Walasmulla and Tangalle on a budget of 200 000 Euros which will span over a period of two years.

A new and better structure for the treatment of the water provided to these two hospitals in Walasmulla and Tangalle will be upgraded with the participation of the Water board.

The selection of these hospitals was made following a fact finding mission carried out by Alain Joly of Greater Lyon in September 2005.

The implementation of this project will contribute immensely to the improvement of the quality of water accessed by the two hospitals and thereby the community at large.