COLOMBO (TIP): India on July 22 said it will upgrade 70 creches in the plantation areas in several parts of Sri Lanka so that mothers working in tea estates can leave their children in a safe environment. The project is to be implemented at a cost of 58 million Sri Lankan Rupees and will be taken up in seven estate regions of Hatton, Galle, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, Badulla, and Kegalle, Indian high commission said.

Lankan Tamils of Indian origin are the main workers employed in these seven estates where India plans to implement the project. Ten child development centres have been identified for renovation in each estate region.Apart from renovating the buildings, the government of India will also provide furniture to the creches to assist children to grow in a safe and hygienic learning atmosphere.

The project is expected to enable mothers engaged in the tea estates to go to work with the assurance that their children are in a safe environment. This will contribute to the economic empowerment of women and assist families in the estate sector. India has been implementing a number of projects for the estate people of Central and Uva Provinces.