British SL Muslim groups donate Rs 10.5M for Sri Lanka recovery

British Sri Lankan Muslim organisations have handed over a collective donation of Rs 10.5 million to the Sri Lankan Government’s National Rebuilding and Disaster Recovery Initiative, following the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

The confirmation letter for this amount was handed over to His Excellency Nimal Senadheera, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, at a meeting held at the High Commission (SLHC) premises in London on Tuesday (30 Dec).

The meeting was also attended by Manorie Mallikaratchy, Deputy High Commissioner, and Brigadier Dilantha Fernando. A large number of heads and representatives of Sri Lankan Muslim organisations from across the United Kingdom, as well as Shakeer Nawas, President, Council of Sri Lankan Muslims Organisations (Cosmos UK) and its ExCo members, were also present.

The representatives of organisations also shared details of their respective fundraising initiatives for various projects in Sri Lanka and indicated that over £250,000 was raised by British Sri Lankan Muslim organisations in the UK to support victims in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the gathering, Shakeer Nawas, President of COSMOS UK, expressed his sincere appreciation to the High Commissioner. Senior High Commission officials highlighted the collective initiative taken by both COSMOS-affiliated and non-affiliated Muslim organisations based in the UK to raise funds to support emergency relief, rehabilitation, and recovery initiatives across Sri Lanka at a time of national calamity. This laudable initiative signified the Islamic values of charity and generosity for those in need. He admired how the Muslim community in Sri Lanka also rose above racial or religious lines to join hands with other communities to offer emergency aid, and actively volunteered and participated in large numbers in clean-up and recovery efforts.

COSMOS UK also reaffirmed its active support for the Sri Lanka High Commission’s “Your Tenner, Their Tomorrow” initiative and confirmed that the campaign would be promoted across community networks, encouraging wider public participation in Sri Lanka’s rebuilding efforts.

The High Commissioner, while welcoming the continued engagement of the Sri Lankan diaspora in the United Kingdom with the High Commission, also thanked COSMOS UK efforts in facilitating this project and thanked all Sri Lankan Muslim organisations for their collective generous donation towards Rebuilding Sri Lanka. His Excellency also assured that the meeting notes would be shared with the Foreign Ministry and the Government of Sri Lanka. The Deputy High Commissioner also addressed the audience, highlighting the united efforts of British Muslim Organisations engagement and support with this mission.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue constructive engagement and cooperation with all stakeholders, in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing humanitarian, recovery, and development needs.

Organisations which participated in this collective contribution: