Lankans living abroad helping motherland - Deputy Minister

Shirley Wijesinghe

There is a trend that Sri Lankans living abroad have banded together to help their Motherland in its hour of need and it should be appreciated by all of us, said Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Sarath Gunaratne.

He was speaking at the event held last Friday to hand over medical equipment and food items received from the Friendship Association of Sri Lankans from Negombo in Paris for the welfare needs of the Armed Forces.

The event took place at the Army Headquarter last Friday. Deputy Minister Gunaratne said “This is the third time that the Friendship Association of Sri Lankans from Negombo in Paris had contributed for the needs and welfare of the Armed Forces engaged in a humanitarian operation in the North and it is a good example to other Sri Lankans living abroad”.

Gunaratne said the pragmatic policies of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government has given Sri Lanka a good name abroad. Sri lanka will soon see the dawning of permanent peace with the defeat of terrorism.

He said Sri Lankan expatriates have already agreed to contribute to a housing scheme for the welfare of the Armed Forces. Our brave Security Forces are doing a great service in their fight against terrorism. Major General Jayanath Perera and Director of welfare Ravi Mayadunne of the Army Headquarters also participated.