An additional sum of US$ 590,000 has been received by the “Children of Gaza Fund,” which was established by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide for the basic needs of children displaced due to the current military situation in the Gaza Strip. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the official handover to the Palestinian government took place yesterday (Aug 07) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

The official documents were presented by President Wickremesinghe to the Palestinian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Zuhair M.H. Zaid, and the Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota. 

Following a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the Cabinet meeting on March 4, 2024, the Government of Sri Lanka agreed to provide financial assistance of US$ 01 million to cover the essential expenses of nearly one million children trapped in the Gaza Strip due to the war. The Cabinet of Ministers approved this grant. 

As per the President’s request, funds allocated by ministries and government institutions for the last Iftar celebration were redirected to this fund. The US$ 01 million received was donated to the Palestinian government on April 01st, 2024, as part of the first phase.

Additionally, in response to the President’s request, business institutions, various organizations, and the general public contributed to the fund, with the opportunity to donate extended until July 31, 2024. As a result, the fund collected a sum of US$ 590,000 by the deadline, which was handed over to the Palestinian government yesterday. 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Presidential Secretariat expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Children of Gaza Fund. (Newswire)

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The Presidential Secretariat has announced that accepting donations to the “Gaza Children’s Fund” ceased on 31st July 2024.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the public has been advised not to make any further contributions. 

The PMD further said that any deposits sent to the official bank account of the President’s Office after the said date will be utilized for social welfare activities. 

The “Gaza Children’s Fund” was initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to aid those affected by conflicts in Gaza. (Newswire)

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A donation of over Rs 40 million has been handed over to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in support of the ‘Children of Gaza’ Fund.

A total of Rs 40,198,902 was donated by the Chinafort Mosque Society, Chinafort Gem & Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA) & “GEM SRI LANKA,” with contributions from the Children of Chinafort.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the donation which had been collectively raised to support the ‘Children of Gaza’ Fund, was handed over demonstrating the community’s solidarity and dedication to humanitarian causes.

The ‘Children of Gaza’ Fund was initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to aid those affected by conflicts in Gaza, Palestine. 

In the initial phase, on behalf of the government, President Ranil Wickremesinghe handed over US$ 01 million to the Palestinian government through the United Nations from the allocations set aside by ministries and government institutions to hold this year’s Iftar celebration.  

Donors are encouraged to continue their contributions until May 31, 2024. Those wishing to donate should deposit their contributions to Bank of Ceylon (7010), Taprobane Branch (747), account number 7040016 before the deadline. Donors are also requested to forward the receipt of their deposit to 077-9730396 via WhatsApp, as per the instructions from the Presidential Secretariat. (Newswire)

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The deadline for accepting donations for the Children of Gaza Fund, initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to aid those affected by conflicts in Gaza, has now been extended until May 31, 2024. 

According to the President’s Media Division, originally scheduled to conclude on April 30, 2024, the extension follows a widespread appeal from across the island. Irrespective of background, citizens have rallied behind the President’s call to support this cause.

In the initial phase, on behalf of the government, President Ranil Wickremesinghe handed over US$ 01 million to the Palestinian government through the United Nations from the allocations set aside by ministries and government institutions to hold this year’s Iftar celebration. Subsequent donations will also be formally transferred to the Palestinian government.

Donors are encouraged to continue their contributions until May 31, 2024. Those wishing to donate should deposit their contributions to Bank of Ceylon (7010), Taprobane Branch (747), account number 7040016 before the deadline. Donors are also requested to forward the receipt of their deposit to 077-9730396 via WhatsApp, as per the instructions from the Presidential Secretariat.

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), expressed sincere appreciation for Sri Lanka’s substantial financial contribution towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Lazzarini emphasized the dire situation faced by over two million Palestinians in Gaza, particularly the majority who are Palestine Refugees under UNRWA’s mandate. Despite formidable challenges, UNRWA staff remain steadfast in delivering essential aid, advocating for adherence to international humanitarian law, and ensuring continuous humanitarian support across Gaza.

The contribution from Sri Lanka to the UNRWA Flash Appeal will significantly bolster efforts to address critical humanitarian needs, especially for the more than a million individuals seeking shelter in UNRWA facilities.

Highlighting the longstanding underfunding of UNRWA’s program budget, Lazzarini underscored the vital role of contributions from partners in enabling the agency to fulfil its mandate effectively.

Expressing gratitude for Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to Palestine Refugees and UNRWA, Lazzarini conveyed confidence in continued support from the Sri Lankan government. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe received official handovers of generous financial contributions for the ‘Children of Gaza’ Fund today (Apr 26).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), this is an initiative the President established to alleviate the suffering of those affected by conflicts in Gaza.

Among the contributors, Huda Jumma Mosque in Kalmunai donated Rs. 1,589,000, the All Ceylon Jamiatul Ulama – Kinnia branch donated Rs. 5,300,000, the Regional Education Office in Kalmunai contributed Rs. 3,128,500, and the Sports First Foundation donated Rs. 300,000 to support the cause.

In addition, during the initial phase, President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered US$ 01 million, received from allocations earmarked by ministries and government bodies for this year’s Iftar celebrations, to the Palestinian government through an official United Nations delegation.

Furthermore, in response to the President’s call for contributions to the ‘Children of Gaza Fund,’ a substantial sum has been collected, slated for official transfer to the Palestinian government in the coming days.

Donors are informed that the window for contributions to this fund will remain open until April 30, 2024. 

Those wishing to donate are encouraged to deposit their contributions into the Bank of Ceylon (7010), Taprobane Branch (747), account number 7040016 before the specified deadline. 

The Presidential secretariat requests donors to share the relevant receipts via WhatsApp on 077-9730396. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to create a “Children of Gaza Fund” in aid of Gaza violence victims. 

The President’s Media Division (PMD) announced that all Ministries and Government Institutions have been directed to forego Ifthar celebrations and to contribute to this fund. 

The Government’s donation of US $1 million will be distributed through official UN agencies to aid affected children in Gaza.

The PMD further said that citizen contributions are also encouraged for this purpose. 

The Presidential Secretariat has urged donations from citizens for the “Children of Gaza Fund” during the month of Ramadan.

The donations could be sent to the bank account of 7040016 at Bank of Ceylon (7010), Taprobane Branch (747) by April 11, 2024.

Those making donations are requested to forward the deposit receipt to 0779730396 via WhatsApp. 

Foreign media report that at least 29,782 people have been killed and 70,043 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. 

The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attacks stands at 1,139. (NewsWire)

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