The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai had organized a programme ‘Support Sri Lanka’ at the Chancery Premises on 27th May 2022 with the objective of securing the food and health safety of Sri Lanka thorough financial support and ensuring supply of essential commodities such as food medicines to Sri Lanka.
The programme, which was hosted for business dignitaries, social workers & Sri Lankan well-wishers, was chaired by Dr. D. Venkateshwaran, the Deputy High Commissioner. In his key note address, Deputy High Commissioner highlighted that, the present crisis faced by Sri Lanka is temporary and similar to the past we will overcome these setbacks and bounce back to normalcy. With the assistance of good neighbourhood in SAARC, and other friendly nations in the world, Sri Lanka will assure a speedy recovery. Deputy High Commissioner further mentioned the assurance given by Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on rendering all necessary support and aid to Sri Lanka. He also thanked the Indian Government, the TN Government and the people of TN for extending humanitarian aid and support.
Several dignitaries participated the event, including Mr. Parasuraman of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Mr. Olivannan, the ex-Rotary Governor, M. S. Madhivaanan, Industrialist, Mr. V. G. Santhosham, Industrialist, Mr. Veeramani Pharmaceutical company owner, Mr. Sudhakar Jayaraj, a Hotelier from Kodaikanal, Mr. Sriharan Balan, Chairman of Adventure tour operators Association of India, Dr. Muthukumar, Director of a Fertility clinic, and members of Vallalar Sabhai (Arutperunjothy, Vadalur) assured of extending all possible support and relief aid to Sri Lanka.
Further, the Deputy High Commissioner, while thanking the participants, expressed to the audience the nature of assistance that Sri Lanka expected under this current juncture, such as initiating new export oriented industries in Sri Lanka. The country’s revenue depended on Tourism and Overseas employment. The Easter attacks and the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic dealt a huge blow to our economy. Many Sri Lankans lost their overseas jobs due to the pandemic. But Lanka is always referred to as ‘Kubera Bhumi’ (the land of wealth) in puranas and Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to roll back to normalcy soon.
