From left: Bismarck Swangin – Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, UNICEF, Christian Skoog – Representative of UNICEF Sri Lanka, Keheliya Rambukwella–  Minister of Health, Arjuna Nanayakkara – Director, Cloud Operations, LSEG, Harsha Muthukumarana – Head of Engineering, LSEG Technology, Shanaka Abeywickrama – Head of Internal and Site Communications, APAC, LSEG and Sara Sadoon – Associate Manager, CSR & Sustainability, LSEG

LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) Foundation announced the donation of medical equipment valued at approximately Rs. 18 million (GBP 63,500) to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Sri Lanka. 

Facilitated by UNICEF Sri Lanka, the funds were utilised to procure and supply oxygen-related equipment and supplies such as oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders and high-flow oxygen units to hospitals and front-line COVID-19 treatment centres that were identified as crucial equipment required by health authorities to assist those infected. 

LSEG is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate around the world, partnering with NGOs and both global and local charitable organisations to further support those impacted by COVID-19. 

In 2020, LSEG donated Rs. 15.6 million towards the purchase of essential medical equipment for the MoH, including an ICU ventilator for adult and paediatric use, the conversion of the Kattankudy Base Hospital into a COVID-19 Isolation Unit and the purchase of hand-sanitiser and surgical face masks for front-line health workers. 
In addition to this, LSEG conducted an internal fundraising programme with the support of staff donations and partnered with World Vision Lanka to provide essential items to 1,872 families in the country. 

Shanaka Abeywickrama, Head of Internal and Site Communications – APAC, LSEG said, “As COVID-19 continues to spread in Sri Lanka, it is important that the private sector continues supporting the Government of Sri Lanka and health authorities to curb the effects of this pandemic. 

We are once again pleased to partner UNICEF Sri Lanka as we work to provide urgently required oxygen-related equipment to in-need treatment facilities and hopefully save lives.”