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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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Tsunami reconstruction : Liberal donations from business sector The tsunami tidal wave which hit the country on boxing day has bound people together and everybody has come forward to help the fellow beings.Below we give a glimpse of the efforts taken by the Chambers, companies and banks to get the people back on their feet and rebuild the nation. The most valuable contribution corporates have made is joining hands personally with the relief efforts in addition to donating in cash and kind. Keep up the spirit. The initiatives taken by the CCC are creating a website to encourage overseas members and well wishers to contribute to rebuild the nation and help the victims, allocation of a warehouse by James finlay to store the aid, establishement of a National Disaster Center headed by Charitha Ratwatte to assist in the management of camps and forming of the CCC disaster relief and rehabilitation fund In the addition members of CCC are managing camps. Hayleys and Singer three camps each, MI Holdings one camp, while Nestle , Ceylon Tobacco and Unilever are managing a large camp. JKH, Hemas, Lion Brewery, James Finlay and Sri Lankan Airlines have also agreed to manage camps."We are liasing with the government on this matter," said a spokesman of CCC. He further said that individually too, member companies have donated to assist the victims. National chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka(NCCSL) have conducted a study to ascertain the number of industries damaged. The basic study has been completed while the field visits to verify the information will be completed next week. This will help the chamber to decide on the assistance needed by the industries to revive them. NCCSL will also conduct sessions together with BSSF( Business Service Support Facility) on business counselling, business development plans, training on boat building, organic farming, project management skills and disaster management skills. The Tsunami disaster, rehabilitation and reconstruction fund has been established by the chamber to get funds to revive the SMEs. Peoples Bank have pledged Rs 40 million in cash while Bank of Ceylon will donate Rs 25 million in addition to their individual efforts to help the victims. Standard Chartered Bank has contributed US$ 5 Million to Asia. Tsunami relief Commitment of LKR 100 Million for Sri Lanka. Standard Chartered PLC last week announced that it is committing at least US$5 million to relief and reconstruction activities in countries affected by Asia's tsunami. The Bank, will channel its contributions through local relief funds in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Malaysia. Standard Chartered's Group Chief Executive, Mervyn Davies said the US$5 million was only an initial contribution to the disaster. Some funds have already been released to help with relief efforts. He added that the Bank had established a task force to co-ordinate the Bank's response to longer-term reconstruction. CEO Sri Lanka Vishnu Mohan said that in Sri Lanka, they have established a Relief Fund and their staff have contributed a minimum of one day's salary in addition to giving up their traditional year-end luncheon to donate those monies to the Bank's relief fund. They also donated dry rations, clothing, medicine and food which were sent out by early 27th morning to those affected in many areas including Batticalo, Hambantota and Galle.Their colleagues in the UAE are collecting items to be sent to the children's rehabilitation centres being set up for children orphaned by the tsunami. In Thailand, approximately 30 staff are helping the British Embassy with calls and translations. "Our aim is to help the funding of sustainable initiatives that run beyond short-term relief work and help communities re-establish themselves in some of the worst-hit areas," he further said. The Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka Relief Fund details are as follows: Account Number: 02 3597814 01 (SWIFT Code: SCBLLKLX). In addition those who wish to donate can also visit the Bank's web site, www.standardchartered.com/lk and make a contribution using their credit card. Contributions can be made both locally and internationally and is not limited to credit card issued by Standard Chartered Bank. The National Savings Bank (NSB), has set up 'Shelter in Adversity Fund' and 'Children's Welfare Fund". NSB has decided to build dormitories and individual houses in severely affected areas and have made an initial deposit of Rs 25 million to their 'Shelter in Adversity Fund'.NSB has also set up a 'Children's Welfare Fund' in collaboration with Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, to uplift and groom the lives of innocent children who are devastated by the tragic tsunami tidal wave. The account for 'National Savings Bank and Sri Lanka Rupahavini Corporation (SLRC) Children's Welfare Fund' has been opened at the NSB under the account number 10001-08-82704.NSB in association with SLRC intend to provide support for education, health and other welfare needs of the victimised children, using the deposits of this fund. Deutsche Bank together with its staff has committed US$ 15m towards Tsunami relief efforts. The funds would be distributed through local and international organizations engaged in relief operations in countries affected by the disaster. Saman Villas and Mermaid Hotel & Club share holders, management and employees have decided to provide substantial financial assistance to victims giving priority to staff who have been affected in addition, to providing financial assistance to severely affected areas. Our most important concern is to provide immediate financial assistance to our staff. A total of 26 staff has been affected of which 7 have completely lost their houses. The Mermaid has allocated Rupees 750'000/= and Saman Villas has allocated Rupees 1'500'000/= to assist their staff. Distribution of financial aid has already commenced. In addition, we will provide financial assistance to reconstruct the Hambantota district which has the largest number of deaths and substantial property damages in the south. A suitable project will be selected in consultation with the Sri Lankan Government. The two hotels, shareholders, and employees will contribute towards a common fund to which the hotels have already contributed a total of Rupees 2.25 million. However we expect the fund to reach Rupees 4 million. Microsoft has made an initial commitment of over US$3.5 million in financial support for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer states that the donation will include US$ 2 million in immediate corporate contributions to local and international relief agencies. The Company has also initiated a 'matching of employee charitable contributions' scheme which will span across Microsoft offices in all parts of the world, including Sri Lanka. Under this initiative Microsoft employees around the globe are being encouraged to make contributions towards supporting rehabilitation needs, and the organization will match contributions made by each and every employee. The Company projects that this endeavor will provide an additional US $1.5 million or more in corporate donations to relief agencies. The Company's donation announcement is an extension of efforts already underway by local Microsoft subsidiaries in the affected region and around the world. Microsoft's regional headquarters and Singapore Office have sent large quantities of food items, clothing etc. to the island through the Sri Lankan Airlines initiative. Microsoft Sri Lanka, along with several other partners, is also involved in facilitating and supporting the setting up of an information website called www.volunteersrilanka.org. The primary objective of this initiative is to create a long-term, sustainable and efficient source of information for individuals seeking to volunteer in Sri Lanka, and a system to match volunteering efforts with the needs of local NGO's undertaking relief and reconstructions efforts. Microsoft also has several plans for technological support in the post tsunami rebuilding Sri Lanka effort, which are ongoing. Shell Companies in Sri Lanka donated 200 water tanks for immediate despatch, to be distributed via the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Programme in areas affected by the tsunami disaster. . The tanks, equipped with fittings, have a capacity of 500 and 1000 litres and are valued at over US $ 10,000. This immediate gesture was organised with contributions of Shell staff and Shell Gas distributors, with matching funds contributed by Shell Sri Lanka. Next Plc, a leading British clothing retailer, has committed Rs. 50 Million in aid to areas of Sri Lanka affected by the recent Tsunami. In addition, Next is hoping to raise a similar amount through voluntary donations from its employees, suppliers and friends around the world. In addition to the contribution we will be giving to our direct employees, we would like to donate 250,000 pounds towards the rebuilding of the affected communities within the island." Money donated by Next will be utilized in direct medical relief and in long-term housing projects.Hutchison have set up Hutch Rankatha Call centres while Lanka Bell has installed free emergency lines in the affected areas. |
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