Delegation from Singapore and Malaysia Meets President’s Secretary
A delegation consisting of both lay and religious representatives from Singapore and Malaysia, led by the Chairman of the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society in Singapore, Venerable Dr K. Gunaratana Thero, who visited Sri Lanka with the objective of providing relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah, met the Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning (05).
During the discussion, held under the leadership of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the delegation assured the President’s Secretary that they were prepared to provide any necessary assistance to those affected by the adverse weather conditions.
Venerable Dr K. Gunaratana Thero stated that Sri Lanka is facing one of the most severe disaster situations in its recent history and that his organisation, together with the team, had voluntarily stepped forward to support the relief efforts and the programme to rebuild Sri Lanka. He added that they would seek the support of foreign organisations and philanthropists for this initiative.
The foreign representatives also agreed to provide immediate material assistance to those affected by the disaster and to extend long-term support to the government’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. The delegation further noted that two containers carrying essential items for those affected are due to arrive within the next few days.
Dr Kumanayake further stated that the government has put in place a structured programme to provide relief to those affected by the adverse weather conditions and added that steps will be taken to settle communities through a systematic urban planning framework to avoid similar situations in the future.
Both parties also reached an initial agreement to provide the necessary equipment for schoolchildren affected by the disaster.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Aponsu, Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Programme), S. P. C. Sugishwara, Secretary of the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society Singapore, Diana Lee, Secretary of the Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Society, Ranjani Silva, and Director (Social Affairs) of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, Kapila Senarath, were among those present at the meeting.
