From left: Karunarathna Paranawithana, Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Amali Nanayakkara, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa MP, Minister of Disaster Management, Dunesh Gankanda MP, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management and John Senevirathne, Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed ‘Seneha Siyapatha Gammanaya’ at Ehaliyagoda, Rathnapura, initiated by Dialog Axiata PLC, was held under the auspices of Anura Priyadarshana Yapa MP, Minister of Disaster Management.

John Senevirathne MP, Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Dunesh Gankanda MP, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management, Karunarathna Paranawithana MP, Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Amali Nanayakkara, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC, Malani Lokupothagama, District Secretary Rathnapura, R.H.S. Disanayake Divisional Secretary, Eheliyagoda, representatives from the Ministry of Defense, representatives from the Sri Lankan Navy, representatives from the Sri Lankan Air Force also graced the foundation stone laying ceremony as special invitees.  

A total of 37 houses will be constructed under Seneha Siyapatha 2017 at a cost of Rs. 57.5 million. Civil construction services will be contributed at no cost by the Ministry of Defense with participation from Tri-forces personal of Sri Lanka. The programme mustered Rs.16.53 million through the generosity of Dialog’s customers, whilst Dialog Axiata added Rs.33.47 million and RIL Property PLC, also made a kind donation amounting to Rs.7.5 million to raise the ‘Seneha Siyapatha’ fund to Rs.57.5 million. 

Under phase one of Seneha Siyapatha 2017, construction work has commenced to build 12 houses at Kotapola in the Matara district. The houses are constructed as per specifications given by the NBRO (National Building Research Organisation) under the aegis of the Ministry of Disaster Management and the project is managed by Dialog Axiata PLC.

The Seneha Siyapatha Fund was initiated by Dialog Axiata for the first time on the 20th of May 2016, in line with the mission to serve communities who are affected by natural disasters. Dialog Axiata PLC, appealed to its subscribers to donate Rs.50 for relief operations via SMS (Short Message Service), Star Points and eZ Cash following the natural disasters. Dialog tripled the donation by adding Rs.100, thereby donating Rs.150 to the project fund.