05. March 2010


 

Media Release

 
The Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs donates humanitarian relief items for the people of the north and a consignment of books to the Jaffna Library

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama stated that a regional unit of the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry would be opened in Jaffna, to cater to the needs of the residents of the north. He stated that the need to have a Consular unit was felt during his recent visit to Jaffna and that this unit would function in coordination with the Government Agent’s office in Jaffna.  

Foreign Minister Bogollagama made these comments during a ceremony to hand over humanitarian relief items in aid of the displaced civilians in the Northern Province and a consignment of books to the Jaffna Library. Madam Deepthi Bogollagama, President of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over the relief items to Minster of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda and representatives of the Government Agent of Jaffna, at this ceremony held today, 4th March 2010 at the Foreign Ministry, in the presence of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and members of the Foreign Ministry’s Seva Vanitha unit.

Addressing the gathering, the Foreign Minister also stated that following the efforts of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who successfully freed the country from the scourge of terrorism, the people of the north were finally able to lead normal lives in peace and with liberty. He stated that the Foreign Ministry and Sri Lanka Missions abroad have also been working towards assisting in the development of the north and other areas of the country which require improvements. 

The Foreign Minister also noted that due to the efforts of former Foreign Minister, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, the Foreign Ministry had played a pivotal role in the rebuilding of the Jaffna library and that the consignment of books which was being donated to the Jaffna library on this occasion, was part of the on-going efforts by the Foreign Ministry towards this worthy endeavour.

During his address, Foreign Minister Bogollagama also stated that he was indeed pleased to hand over the consignment consisting of items such as wheelchairs, crutches etc, garments, food and drink items, household necessities and medicinal items which were donated by Man Fut Tong Welfare Society of Singapore and channeled through the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore. Foreign Minister Bogollagama also pointed out to the tirelessly efforts of Minister Devananda who worked for the benefit of the people of Jaffna and the north of Sri Lanka and acknowledged the good work done by the GA’s office and all connected authorities.  

Minister Devananda addressing gathering noted that Foreign Minister Bogollagama had played a key role in obtaining assistance from the international community to the people of the north and the Internally Displaced Persons during a difficult period in Sri Lanka’s recent history. He conveyed the gratitude of the Tamil people to Foreign Minister Bogollagama for the efforts he had made to obtain much needed assistance for them and pointed out that the ceremony today was one such example of his contribution to the Tamil community.

The Foreign Secretary and other senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, Government Agent’s office in Jaffna and other line Ministries were also present on this occasion.   

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

4th March 2010