Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said friendly nations have been appealed to provide whatever possible assistance for the supply of relief materials and construction of houses.
Terming the flood situation in the country “disastrous,” the President pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday briefed diplomats of the present status. He also thanked those countries which had come forward to donate the materials and support Sri Lanka.
Citizens, please donate generously
Mr. Sirisena assured those who lost their houses and other affected people that the government would act with “a firm commitment to fulfill its responsibilities and duties.” He appealed to people of the country to make generous contributions and political parties to provide leadership in the affected areas, setting aside their differences.
As per a report of the government’s Disaster Management Centre on Friday morning, the number of deaths stood at 64, of which 35 were in Kegalle district where a huge landslip occurred. Totally, 4.27 lakh persons were affected and about 3.2 lakh persons removed to safe locations.
Japan Embassy chips in
The Embassy of Japan here announced that the government of Japan would provide to Sri Lanka through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) emergency relief goods such as plastic sheets, water purification units and generators.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lanka government set up a task force to coordinate emergency relief assistance from diplomatic missions in Colombo and Sri Lankan missions overseas.
Donors note
Those willing to contribute towards the flood relief efforts could also contact the task force at +94112323015 (landline phone) or +94718147939 (mobile number of Varuni Muthukumarana, coordinator) or through fax (no: +94112446091) or through email (help@mfa.gov.lk).
