Teaching activities at the Ramakrishna Mission school in Batticaloa resumed on Tuesday (10), following the handover of the grounds back for educational purposes.
The school premises were taken over in 1990 for use as a military camp. Originally established as a Ramakrishna Mission School, it was converted into a government school by Gazette Notification dated 23 July 1962. Following severe damage caused by the cyclone in 1978, the school was relocated to its present site, and teaching and learning activities had recommenced in 1979.
In 1990, the school premises were taken over for use as a military camp. At that time, approximately 800 students were enrolled, and classes were conducted from Grades 1 to 11. During the period of military occupation, the school functioned temporarily at the Vandarumoolai Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, the Devapuram Gajamugan Vidyalaya, and on several private lands. Subsequently, the school was permanently re-established on approximately one acre of land near the reservoir on the Murakkottansenai Main Road. The school is severely affected by flooding and overcrowding, which significantly disrupt teaching and learning activities.
The school premises, which were occupied by the military, were officially released on 30 September 2025 for educational purposes.
The total extent of the land is two acres. Accordingly, 196 students — comprising 112 boys and 84 girls in the primary section — together with their teachers, were scheduled to be transferred to this school on Tuesday. The released premises consist of two buildings measuring 100 by 20 feet, one building measuring 110 x 20 feet, and one building measuring 40 x 20 feet. Under the 2025 maintenance programme, a sum of Rs. two million was allocated for the provision of toilet and drinking water facilities. Seven classrooms have been repainted. In addition, a 140-metre boundary fence has been constructed on one side of the school with community assistance.
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