December 04, Colombo (LNW): The Management Committee of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund—created on the direction of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to support the nation’s post-cyclone recovery—convened at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (03) morning.
The session was led by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, who called for an intensified push to secure the financial resources needed to revive communities and industries damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.
Committee members reviewed funding gaps across multiple sectors and explored avenues to strengthen the national recovery drive.
Much of the discussion centred on widening the country’s fundraising network. Suggestions included deepening engagement with foreign missions, cultivating support from international development partners, and channelling the goodwill of Sri Lankans living overseas.
Officials also examined how public institutions, private enterprises, charitable foundations, and individual citizens might meaningfully contribute to rebuilding efforts.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Rusell Aponsu, who serves as the committee’s convener, joined other representatives from state agencies and the business community in mapping out the next phase of the fund’s operations.
In a related update, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, reported that more than 19,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers have already contributed to the fund. Delivering a statement yesterday, he outlined a series of coordinated measures introduced to accommodate the widespread desire among overseas Sri Lankans to aid the country during this difficult period.
He said that, in addition to the dedicated bank account established at the Bank of Ceylon to receive cash donations, a parallel mechanism now allows overseas contributors to send essential supplies to Sri Lanka free of customs charges and with simplified documentation.
A special task force under the Director General of Customs is overseeing the clearance process to ensure that relief goods reach the Disaster Management Centre without delay.
All Sri Lankan diplomatic missions have been briefed on these procedures, enabling donors abroad to channel assistance either through official banking routes or via their nearest mission. Once received by the DMC, consignments are dispatched to affected districts through local administrative offices.
Dr Suriyapperuma emphasised that every contribution—whether monetary or material—helps rebuild shattered lives. He urged all Sri Lankans, both at home and overseas, to extend whatever support they can, noting that the collective effort remains crucial as the country navigates its path to recovery.
