Colombo, June 3 (NIA) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on Saturday said that funds donated for flood relief from its international partners will be used to rebuild for the thousands of families who were displaced by the floods and landslides.
The Buddhist Association of China, on Saturday morning donated Rs.22 million to President Sirisena’s Disaster Relief National Fund in order to assist the families affected by the disaster.
Speaking to Chinese monks and officials who were present from the Association, Sirisena said that these funds would be used to re-build homes and the army would be overlooking these operations.
“Once these homes are re-built for the families, we can even take you to have a look at these houses,” Sirisena said, addressing the Chinese monks.
Sirisena said that many countries including China had responded to Sri lanka’s call for aid and had sent relief items through ships and flights along with funding.
Sirisena thanked all these countries on behalf of his government and its people.
He also informed the monks, that Sri Lanka and China had been close friends since ancient times and the friendship had only been further strengthened through the years.
“I appreciate that so many countries and organisations are assisting us during a time we are facing the floods. China has helped us a lot. They sent us three ships with relief supplies and also a flight is due to arrive. They have also given us funding,” Sirisena said.
China has pledged to offer an estimated 2.2 million US dollars in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka as severe rains from May 26 caused disastrous floods and landslides in many districts of the country.
Several other countries have also provided the government with urgent funding and relief supplies as the island faces the worst flooding since 2003.
So far 211 people have been confirmed killed while 91 people are still missing, according to the Disaster Management Center.
Over 700,000 people have been affected while over 100,000 people are seeking shelter in safe locations.
The tri forces along with rescue teams, are working to restore normalcy and rebuild the homes which were destroyed by the disaster.
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