APSL Emergency Response Fund expands relief distribution in Sri Lanka assisting 1305 families and three major Hospitals

The Association of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK (‘’APSL’’) (UK Registered Charity No: 1145786) launched an Emergency Relief Fund (“ERF”) on 24th March 2020 to support vulnerable people & deserving families in Sri Lanka as they started to face many hardships due to the current Corona (Covid-19) pandemic. As the pandemic continues globally, we believe we should continue to be assisting those in Sri Lanka by keeping the fund raising links open on social media. Further details appear below in this media release.

By way of immediate relief, it was decided to distribute a dry ration parcel to each deserving family containing of the following items.

Rice 5kg
Dhal 1kg
Salmon/Mackerel 1 large or 2 small tins
Noodles 500g 1 packet
Dry Fish 100g
Big onions 1 kg
Chilli Powder 100g
Curry Powder 100g
Salt 1 packet
Since the launch of this fund on 24th March 2020, we have successfully completed two phases of the programme helping 643 families. We have already commenced and completed 75 % of the 3rd phase of the programme and will be completing the remaining distributions once the curfew is lifted on 16th and 17th April 2020, where we intend to help another 662 families in collaboration with Hela Sarana, a leading Sri Lankan Charity in the UK. This will bring the total beneficiaries of the programme across all three Phases to a total of 1305 families across the island as shown in the map below.

In addition to the above programme we have completed providing packs of dry rations especially to deserving families with young children and we have donated PPE and other necessary equipment to three hospitals in Sri Lanka.

With the help of the Late Florence De Silva fund, we distributed 120 special dry ration packs (worth of LKR 2,000.00 including milk powder, Samaposha/ Threeposha and biscuits) mainly focusing on families with young children (during Phase Two of the programme).
Donated hundred protective masks (N 95 respirators) to Karapitiya General Hospital, Galle.
Donated 25 fully equipped (Cover-all) PPE kits for COVID-19 community screening to Kalutara General Hospital.
Donated a heavy-duty washing machine to Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowilla.
The above equipment to the hospitals were funded by the donations we received via the APSL-ERF Facebook fundraiser, which is still open to the public worldwide to make contributions.

You can make a donation by visiting:

APSL Facebookgroup (https://www.facebook.com/groups/APSLUK/) and APSL website (www.apsl.org.uk) to view photos of dry ration distribution across Sri Lanka during all three phases of the programme.

It had been made possible to distribute the food parcels and other donations with the huge APSL network of contacts all over the country and a huge appreciation goes out to the voluntary ground force in Sri Lanka who took the challenge to mobilise and dedicate themselves in a very short period of time coming forward to help our fellow Sri Lankans who are in need of help during this difficult period.

Please note all involved with the programme in Sri Lanka have been informed strictly to follow the Sri Lankan government’s advice/regulations/guidelines regarding social distancing and use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

We would like to thank all our Executive Committee members, APSL members, non-members and all who contributed towards the programme to make it a success at very short notice.

If you are considering any further contributions, please use the Virgin Money giving link below and share the link with your contacts as we are intending to launch further phases within the next few days/weeks.

http://virginmoneygiving.com/fund/APSLEmergencyResponseFund

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1553522381467619/

Please note that all donations received will be 100% utilised for providing the necessary help as per the above programmes to help the people and institutions in need.

Furthermore, we shall be receiving all details of the beneficiaries and photographs (where appropriate) for transparency and accountability.

If you need any further information, clarifications or any suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the APSL General Secretary Dr. Leshan Uggalla (gereralsecretary@apsl.org.uk – 0044 7969330078).

APSLUK was formed in 2004 and is a UK registered charity. For more information regarding the organisation, please visit our website www.apsl.org.uk

Thank you.

Dr. Leshan Uggalla (General Secretary APSL)
Dr. Mahesh de Silva (President APSL)