External Affairs Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit lends helping hand to charities

The External Affairs Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit presented cheques to the value of Rs. 4.5 million each to two deserving charities.

External Affairs Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit president Savithri Peiris handing over a donation of SLR. 4.5 million to S.O.S Children’s Village Sri Lanka National Director Ananda Karunarathne. External Affairs Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit vice president Krishanthi Perera, Treasurer Shani Calyaneratne, S.O.S Village Sri Lanka president Sandya Weerasinghe and committee member Mrs. Dilum Amunugama were also present.

The S.O.S village project Jaffna, whose main aim is to provide shelter to 120 children who have lost parental care in the aftermath of the ethnic conflict is one recipient while the other is the Colours of Courage Trust better knows as Trail.

The latter is a project initiated to bring relief to the cancer affected patients, especially children in Jaffna,while carrying the message of Peace and Reconciliation to the North and the East.

These two charities were chosen by the Unit since it was considered most appropriate to give priority to this region.

These funds have been collected by the Missions and Seva Vanitha Sub Units abroad by holding fund raises.

The recipients were carefully identified according to criteria given by the Missions.

Last year, the Seva Vanitha Unit donated Rs.122,755 being part of a donation received from the Sri Lanka Mission in Oman, to the Seva Vanitha Unit, Ministry of Defence, for the Ranaviru Welfare Fund and Housing Projects.

This was utilized to complete half built houses of three wounded soldiers in Polgasowita, Mahiyangana and Hasalaka.

These houses were completed and handed over to the recipients in September 2011 and May 2012 by External Affairs Ministry president Savithri Peiris and vice president Krishanthi Perera.

The Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence was represented by its president Aiyoma Rajapaksa.