Donations for Eastern Resurgence

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama ceremonially handed over donations to the value of Rs. 78 million received through Sri Lanka Missions and Honorary Consulates abroad for the Neganehira Navodaya Eastern Resurgence Programme to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

The collection of donation through Sri Lanka Missions Overseas was undertaken in keeping with the people friendly foreign policy enunciated by President Rajapaksa. Donations received included Rs. 13 million and donations in-kind amounting to Rs 65 million - water pumps, computers, school equipment, medical equipment and hospital beds were among the items collected for distribution.

Donations of over Rs. 18 million are also in the pipeline. During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Bogollagama also informed the President that the Foreign Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit will be building two wards for women and children for the Seruwila Rural Hospital in the Trincomalee District.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Nation Building in charge of the Eastern Province, Susantha Punchinilame, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, Governor of the Eastern province, Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Nation Building and the Presidential Secretariat.

A feature of this donation was that the transportation and insurance charges of the consignments were borne by the donors.

The donations received are to be used for the benefit of the people of the Eastern Province as a part of the Neganahira Navodaya Programme.