News
Indonesia provides US $1.6 Mn worth humanitarian aid to Lanka
Indonesian Embassy in Colombo announced that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia has decided to provide humanitarian aid on essential medicines and medical equipment to Sri Lanka due to the severe shortage in Sri Lanka caused by the economic crisis, with the value of LKR 517.5 million (around US $1.6 million).
The total volume of the aid is 3.1 tons, to be sent from Jakarta to Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines in two dispatchments.
Upon receiving the request for donation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia immediately coordinated with the related Indonesian Ministries and Indonesian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to prepare the donation, the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo said.
The quick responses from all stakeholders in Indonesia show the thoughtfulness of Indonesia towards Sri Lanka and their understanding of the urgency of the said essential medicines and medical equipment for the people of Sri Lanka.
The long-standing, strong bond relations between Indonesia and Sri Lanka have been proven throughout their long history since many centuries ago and became stronger with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the year 1952.
The two nations’ important roles have also been well-known in the Asia-Africa Conference and as the initiators of the Non-Aligned Movement. Through the years, both have had strong partnership in bilateral, regional, and multilateral contexts. The Tsunami that hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka in 2004 reflected the endurance friendship of the two countries by supporting each other.
As both countries commemorate the 70th diplomatic anniversary this year, it signifies the strong friendship between the two countries and Indonesia is delighted to support Sri Lanka during this difficult time.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia collaborates with the Government of Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka and the related authorities, as well as the Representatives Office of WHO in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, to facilitate this humanitarian aid for the people of Sri Lanka.
A discussion with the Catholic Council was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Discussions focused on administrative issues relating to Catholic schools taken over by the Government, the formulation of a structured teacher cadre system for Catholic religious education, the need to recruit Catholic nuns and priests into the teaching profession and the establishment of a mechanism to obtain the support of the Ministry of Education for the administration of Government-acquired Catholic schools.
It was also decided that discussions with the Catholic Council would be held three times annually, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage would serve as Secretary to the forum.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the Catholic Council, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Government for facilitating the discussion.
His Eminence further stated that the expectation was to ensure every student, without discrimination, is given the opportunity to learn his or her own religion and stressed the importance of resolving the prevailing issues within the education sector.
Also present at the occasion were Most Rev. Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Most Rev. Bishop Christy Noel Emmanuel, Most Rev. Bishop Anton Ranjith, Most Rev. Bishop Wimal Siri Jayasuriya, other clergy representing the Catholic Council, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
(PMD)
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