Call to help civilians

The Media and Information Ministry has called upon the public to come forward and assist the efforts to cater to the welfare of the civilians rescued from LTTE clutches and arriving in the liberated areas enmasse by contributing food and other utility items. Such contributions would be a symbol of the Southern people's friendship and goodwill towards their Northern counterparts. The decision to make this appeal was made at a meeting presided by Media, Information, Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at the Ministry on Thursday. Heads of media institutions and several other media representatives attended the meeting.

The items needed were listed as follows: food items, dry food rations, biscuits, drinking water, milk food, children's milk food, feeding bottles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, sanitary towels, linen, new clothing, mosquito nets, soap, kitchen utensils and other essential utensils. The Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre adjoining the BMICH, Colombo will be the main collecting centre, while all District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats will serve as countrywide collection centres. A Government Information Department release said war heroes have rescued more than 100,000 civilians from LTTE clutches during the past few days and the Government is taking all necessary steps to provide them with basic facilities needed. War heroes freeing these innocent civilians held hostage by the LTTE for nearly 30 years was a victory for all patriotic people desiring the welfare and progress of the motherland. Following the 2004 tsunami people in the South came forward to help the affected people. Now they have received another opportunity to display their hospitality and love and compassion towards their Northern counterparts.