Donations should be through Ministry

The Government yesterday called on all persons who wish to make donations of food clothing and other material to civilians comming out of the LTTE held areas to do so through the Resettlement and Disaster Relief Ministry.

A media release issued by the Government Information Department states:.

"There are many reports of concerned citizens from parts of the country collecting food, clothing and other material to be sent to the Internally Displaced Person in the North, who are now coming out of the LTTE held areas in large numbers.

While the Government appreciates this gesture of goodwill by the people towards ones fellow citizens that need help, the attention of the Government is also drawn to the possibility of unscrupulous persons or organisations using this situation for personal gain.

The Government, therefore, calls on all persons who wish to make such donations to do so through the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, to ensure that the relief they so willingly donate will reach the people who are actually and most in need of them, and they will be distributed in a proper and orderly manner to achieve the best results

Those willing to make donations or organize the collection of such donations are requested to do so in consultation with the Divisional Secretariats of the respective areas."