More Saudi relief for Muttur, flood affected areas

Mohammed RASOOLDEEN in Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabian Airlines ferried on Sunday the second plane load of Saudi relief aid for Muslims in Muttur who fled their homes due to LTTE terrorist activities in the Eastern part of the island.

The first flight load of relief supplies left by a special Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo plane on Friday from the King Khaled International Airport (KKIA).

"The donation is sequel to a request made by the Sri Lankan Government to the Muslim foreign missions based in Colombo," Mohammed Mahmud Al-Ali, Saudi Ambassador to Colombo told the Daily News.

The envoy is currently in Riyadh to oversee the dispatch of relief aid to Colombo.

Al-Ali said the consignments weighing 150 metric tons, contain 2,000 water-proof tents, 4,000 blankets, 2,000 carpets, medicines and food items are being freighted to the Muslims in Muttur.

He said that the first consignment was formally handed over to the Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe by Talaat Shera, Deputy Head of the Saudi Embassy in Colombo.

A. H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Transport, Ameer Ali, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management and Rishard Badurdeen, Minister of Rehabilitation were present during the handing-over ceremony.

The Ambassador said that on seeing the recent floods in the island, the Saudi Government has agreed to distribute part of the donation to the flood victims.

A six-member Saudi team headed by Saad Al Wetald from the Ministry of Finance is currently in Colombo to supervise the distribution of relief supplies in Muttur and flood affected areas.

The other members of the Saudi team include Basam Al Feraj, Salman Al Obtaibi, Saad Al Dosary, Hameed Al Obeid and Thahir Al Saeed.

Minister Fowzie thanked the Saudi Government for promptly responding to his Government's appeal.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom A. M. J. Sadiq said the Saudi donation reaches the concerned victims at the right time when relief materials are greatly needed in those affected areas.

Flood victims include people from all religions, he said, pointing out that the Kingdom always helps people of all faiths irrespective of racial differences.