Online edition of Daily News

Sri Lanka High Commissioner Rosy Senanayake and Mercy Malaysia President Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood during the launch of Fund Raising Project 'Rebuilding Lives' of Sri Lanka held at Crown Princes Hotel, Kuala Lumpur yesterday (23). Malaysian Sinhalese Association President Sarath Jayatileka, Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society President Sarath Surendre, Sri Jayanthi Association President Mervyn Weerasena are also in the picture. ANCL is a co-sponsor of this project.

The Lanka High Commission in Malaysia and the Malaysia Sri Lanka Charity Network (MSLCN) yesterday (23) launched a massive fund raising project with Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malayasia) to fund several infrastructure rebuilding projects in the South of Sri Lanka which were severely damaged by the floods in May, this year.

The project titled 'Rebuilding Lives' aims at collecting Rs. 26 million is expected to fund specifically earmarked rebuilding projects in Akuressa and Deniyaya. The main function of the Project will be a fund raising dinner on December 05, 2003 at Crown Princes Hotel, Kuala Lumpur with the participation of 1,000 guests.

Mercy Malaysia was one of the first international relief missions that landed in Sri Lanka to engage in flood relief activities following an invitation by Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia. They have commenced several projects in the South and also planning to extend their relief work to North and East as well.

Renowned cultural troupes from both countries are due to perform during the event and the photo exhibition 'Dawn of Hope' will also feature during the fund raising. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited is a co-sponsor of this fund raising project.

The MSLCN which was set up in June this year according to a concept by High Commissioner Rosy Senanayake, consists of three Sri Lankan origin organizations based in Malaysia - the Malaysian Sinhalese Association (MSA), Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society (SAWS), the Sri Jayanthi Association (SJA) and the Sri Lankan expatriates chaired by the Sri Lanka High Commission. The Malaysian Ceylonese Congress (an organisation of Sri Lankan origin Tamils) is also a partner organization of this network.

The fund raising project is being launched following a call by Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando to all Sri Lankan Missions abroad to embark on similar endeavour to rebuild lives which were damaged by the floods.

During the press conference after the launch of the project High Commissioner Rosy Senanayake thanked Mercy Malaysia for launching projects in Sri Lanka and also for extending them to other parts of the country, including the North and the East.

"Sri Lanka is now engaged in a historic process of re-writing its history. We are reaping the benefits of the peace and rebuilding lives that were damaged by a twenty-year war. Therefore, Sri Lanka appreciates the endeavors of organizations like Mercy Malaysia for launching projects with a similar theme - "Rebuilding Lives," she said.

Mercy Malaysia President Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood said that they have already identified several projects in Trincomalee to rebuild its damaged infrastructure. "We will reach affected people despite their cultural, religious or ethnic background", she added. MSA President Sarath Jayatileka, SAWS President Sarath Surendre, SJA President Mervyn Weerasena, Sri Lanka expatriates organisers Yohan Gunatilleke and Saman Karunaratne were also present at the launch.