Scots funding for tsunami orphans

The project provides shelter, education, and training

A Scottish-funded project for Sri Lankan tsunami orphans has been officially opened by Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell.

He travelled to the Orphanage Project in Kalutara District which is run by Glasgow-based charity Scotland's Buddhist Vihara.

The scheme has been given £85,000 in Scottish Government funding since 2005.

The orphanage is home to 20 "at-risk" boys who were orphaned by the 2004 tsunami.

It provides shelter, education, life coaching and vocational training.

The orphans receive help from trained experts who treat their psychological and emotional development.

'Healing scars'

Mr Maxwell said: "The 2004 tsunami caused terrible destruction and left in its wake a legacy of human suffering in Sri Lanka and the other nations affected.

"Many children were left orphaned by the catastrophe and it's therefore extremely gratifying for me to be able to officially open this excellent project.

"I hope our support will assist the staff in their vital work to heal the emotional scars left by the tsunami and enable the children to grow into confident adults."

Mr Maxwell is in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Games Federation's final decision on which city will be awarded the Games in 2014.

Glasgow is competing with the Nigerian capital, Abuja.