Gramodaya Health Centre opening

A couple of colleagues and I went to the opening of a local health centre - not supported by Merlin - today. I avoided being placed at the head table and expected therefore to be able to escape giving a speech. No such luck. Being able to make impromptu speeches is a real part of my job it seems.


In the past two weeks I've been Scuba diving (locally), learning about security management (in Colombo), elephant spotting (in between), visiting overcrowded IDP camps (around Batticaloa) and dealing with loads and loads of bureaucracy (at the office). All in a day's work.

Guests at the opening of the Gramodaya Health Centre, Aryampathi, Sri Lanka.

Guests at the opening of the Gramodaya Health Centre, Aryampathi, Sri Lanka.

The government has been shelling and firing multi-barrel rockets into the western (inland) part of our district for several weeks now. The firing comes from a couple of kilometres away from our home and office and it's very loud. Business goes on almost as usual everywhere, although a school near the artillery has been closed. I've been to a partner NGOs office in that part of town and when the howitzer fires you can feel it in your chest. This is all quite a new experience for me.