MEDIA RELEASE
Drought Relief donated by the Sri Lankan Community to Farmers in New South Wales – Australia
The dry rations collected through the joint effort of all Sri Lankan Associations, Sinhala Language schools and individuals to be donated to the affected framing community of New South Wales were handed over to the Lions Club “Need for Feed” unit on 4th October 2018 at a simple ceremony held at the official residence of the Consul General for Sri Lanka in New South Wales & Queensland.
A hundred and fifty boxes of dry rations were collected making this a great success.
Ms Mary Lewicka, Deputy Director of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) NSW Office was present at the distribution ceremony together with Lion Keith Stewart, District Governor 201 N3 (Hunter) and Lion Derek Margerison, District Governor 201 N5 (Sydney) and other Lions and Lion Ladies.
Addressing the gathering Consul General Lal Wickrematunge stated that the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Austrlia reached 70 years last year and Australia has always extended assistance when natural disasters impacted on Sri Lanka. When Australian farmers were stricken by the drought the Sri Lankan origin community domiciled in New South Wales took the initiative in helping the affected.
Lion District Governor Keith Stewart stated that the assistance extended by the Sri Lankan community in the time of need is much appreciated and the people will remember the goodwill shown by their fellow Sri Lankans. Working on the ground with the affected farmers The Need for Feed Programme ensures that the dry rations collected will reach the families directly.
An initiative set in motion on a suggestion made by Mr. Dilip Kumar was seen to a successful conclusion. Mr. Ryan Neelam, Actg. Director of DFAT State Office in New South Wales stated that they were “touched” by this humanitarian gesture of Sri Lankan people.
Consulate General acknowledges all the Sri Lankan Associations including Sri Lanka Association of NSW, Inc., Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW Inc., Tamil Senior Citizen’s Association, NSW, Inc., Austra-Lanka Muslim Association, Sri Lanka NSW Catholic Association, Lak Saviya Foundation, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka NSW Australia Chapter, Sri Lankan Hoteliers Association, University of Kelaniya Alumni, University of Colombo Alumni, Tharuna Youth Group of Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW, St. Benedict’s College Old Boys Association, Royal College Old Boys Association, NSW & ACT, Minto Sinhala School, Blacktown Sinhala School, Newcastle Sinhala School & Community, North Parramatta Sinhala School and Sydney Sri Lankan Lions Club who joined hands for these efforts.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Sydney – Australia
5th October 2018
