Sri Lanka to provide humanitarian aid to earthquake victims

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held a special discussion regarding the provision of humanitarian aid for the earthquake-affected people in Turkey and Syria, a statement from his office said.

On the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the meeting was held at the Temple Trees yesterday.
The provision of essential requirements including manpower resources by government institutions, non-government institutions, and the private sector were discussed at the occasion.

It was planned to provide medical and engineering personnel trained in UN humanitarian operations, as well as tea and manufactured products to victims in Turkey from the public and private sectors. The programme will be implemented through a committee headed by Secretary to Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake.

The possibility of sending humanitarian aid to the victims in Syria through Lebanon was also discussed on this occasion.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, Environment Minister Naseer Ahmed, Yadamini Gunawardena MP, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Ministry Secretaries, Chairmen and Heads of private institutions participated at the event.