By Usama Al-Saeed
(with photos) KANDY, SRI LANKA, Feb 8 (KUNA) -- Exploratory visit by a group of elite Kuwaiti students reaped its aspired fruits, as the young Kuwaiti students enriched their cultural knowledge by examining landmark and historical sites across the Asian nation, said the mission architect.
Objectives of the trip have been fully realized and "I have sensed this from the impressions manifested by the students," said Ahmad Al-Sarraf, the supervisor of the exploratory journey, organized by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), in coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education.
Al-Sarraf, KFAED's acting press chairman, told KUNA at conclusion of the adventure, launched on January 31, that the Kuwaiti students got acquainted with the Sri Lankan cultural heritage and examined sites of KFAED-funded ventures.
He expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education for organizing the thrilling trip for the fifth consecutive year, noting that up to 100 Kuwaiti students had been involved in adventures to seven countries, where they closely examined Kuwait's charitable and relief activities and projects.
Mansour Al-Dihani, the head of educational activities in Hawalli's educational sector, told KUNA the students attended the popular theatrical show, went to many factories and museums.
Ali Al-Harbi, a student, said he benefited a lot from the trip, having gathered information about the nation traditions, customs and life-style. His fellow, Khaled Al-Rashidi, said he learned a great deal during the trip, namely the fact that Kuwait, although a country small in size, is successful in making great achievements abroad.
Such trips bolster cooperation and patriotic sentiments among the students, said Abdul-Mohsen Al-Ajmi.
Other students expressed identical sentiments and affirmed that they were deeply impressed for seeing the nation natural sights and landmarks.
The students had examined a key river bridge, construction of which was funded by Kuwait, and site of Mahaweli River Development Project, financed by KFAED. They had also gone to "Susantieh" park for medical and cooking herbs and visted Jin Luge tea factory.
Sri Lanka is the world fourth top tea producer. More than 400,000 hectares of lands are planted with diverse tea species. Some 300,000 persons work in the sector and the nation generates up to USD 700 million per annum from the industry.
The Kuwaiti students had also visited the famous Pinnawala Elephants Orphanage in the southwest of the nation, where they were entertained with viewing the elephants being washed in a river. They were further entertained by being taken on a local tour aboard the gigantic animals.
Local officials have expressed appreciation for Kuwait for its contributions to the key Mahaweli River Development Project, which provides irrigation to 23,000 families in Banda.
A KFAED loan worth KD 1.30 million was given to Sri Lanka in 1994 to fund Sector C of the project. Mahaweli River is the largest river in Sri Lanka.
KFAED commenced its activities in Sri Lanka in 1975, by funding a urea fertilizer project, with a loan valued at USD 23.2 million, while the latest agreement was signed in 2011, to fund the development of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
(A Kuwaiti dinar is currently traded at approximately USD 3.5). (end) uas.rk KUNA 081039 Feb 14NNNN