The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai organised ‘Support Sri Lanka’, a program with the objective of securing the food and health safety of Sri Lanka through financial support to ensure the supply of essential commodities such as food and medicines to Sri Lanka.
The program at the Chancery premises on May 27, 2022, was hosted for business dignitaries, social workers and well-wishers of Sri Lanka.
The Deputy High Commissioner Dr. D. Venkateshwaran said that the present crisis faced by Sri Lanka was temporary and the country would overcome these setbacks and return to normalcy.
He requested assistance from SAARC, and other friendly nations across the world and said that Sri Lanka will make a speedy recovery.
The Deputy High Commissioner said the assurance given by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on rendering all support and aid to Sri Lanka and extended his appreciation to the Indian Government, the Government of Tamil Nadu and the people of the state for extending humanitarian assistance.
Several dignitaries participated in the event, including Parasuraman Olivannan M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, M. S. Madhivaanan the former Rotary Governor, Industrialist, V. G. Santhosham Industrialist, Sudhakar Jayaraj, Veeramani Pharmaceutical company owner, Sriharan Balan a hotelier from Kodaikanal, Dr. Muthukumar Chairman of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India and a director of a fertility clinic, while members of Vallalar Sabhai (Arutperunjothy, Vadalur) agreed to extend all possible support and provide aid to Sri Lanka.
The Deputy High Commissioner, while thanking the participants, explained the current requirements of Sri Lanka which included initiating new export oriented industries in Sri Lanka.
He added that the country’s revenue, which depended on tourism and overseas employment, was impacted following the Easter attacks and the subsequent Covid-19 global pandemic which dealt a huge blow to the economy.
He said that many Sri Lankans lost their overseas jobs due to the pandemic.
The Deputy High Commissioner said that Sri Lanka which is referred to as ‘Kubera Bhumi’ (the land of wealth) in Puranas, will bounce back and live up to its glory.