Rasika Somarathna
China yesterday donated nearly Rs. 29 million as immediate relief for landslide victims of Meeriyabedda, Haldumulla.
The donations were from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese community in Sri Lanka and the China Red Cross Society. Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao yesterday presented a cheque of US $30,000 to Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Director General Tissa Abeywickrema.
He also handed over Rs.20 million cash and material donated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and Rs 4,882,600 donated by Chinese community in Sri Lanka organized by Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, to the Secretary of Disaster Management Ministry S.M.Mohammed.
The head of Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka and Chief Finance Officer of Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd, Victor Sun said around 140 Chinese companies in Sri Lanka had joined hands to provide the donations.
"The CCCSL having established itself in Sri Lanka, is today saddened as much as any other Sri Lankan would be, as a result of this disaster. With the assistance of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka, we are making this donation to help the affected and sincerely hope that this contribution would assist them in rebuilding their lives", he added.
Victor said that the CCCSL in future too will help people in Sri Lanka, when in need.
Meanwhile, Secretary Mohammed said Sri Lanka highly appreciates the donations from China which she said would help the ongoing relief measures of the government.
Explaining the situation to the Chinese Ambassador and others she said that 10 people have died and 28 are still missing due to the landslide that struck the village of Meeriyabedda on 29th October.
The whole village will be relocated to a safe area and all necessary assistance will be given to the affected to recover from the disaster, she added.
The DG of the SLRC said that the Sri Lankan people highly appreciated the spontaneous response from the Chinese people to help the affected.
The event took place at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
From: Daily News. http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/china-donates-landslide-relief
