Helplanka, a UK registered charity, has teamed up with Dimuthu Foundation of Pambala Kakkapalliya in Sri Lanka to help disadvantaged rural communities.
Their collaboration was celebrated with a special event to commemorate the 90th birthday of Dhanasena Siriwardene Goonetillake, who was born and lived in Kakkapalliya and is the father of Sampath Goonetillake (Sam) the chief executive and founder of Helplanka.
Tea party and dry rations were distributed among the children.
On 15 January, 90 Children from a remote village in Kawatiyawatta Wattakalliya, near Chilaw, were treated to a tea party and dry rations were distributed at the event, organised by Dimuthu Foundation which was attended by both Buddhist and Catholic clergy. Relatives of the Goonetillake family, from nearby Kakapalliya, also attended.
Both Helplanka and Dimuthu Foundation have been helping disadvantaged rural communities for over 15 years and have announced the commencement of joint initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty through education.
Sam Goonetillake, speaking from London said: “I am extremely grateful to Fr Jude Fernando and the amazing staff of Dimuthu Foundation for their hard work and devotion in expertly organising the event and look forward to working together in the future. It was wonderful to see the children looking so happy and enjoying the party and a pleasure to be given the opportunity to contribute to the sterling work of Dimuthu Foundation amid challenging circumstances in forgotten remote areas of Sri Lanka."
HELP US HELP THEM HELP LANKA. Visit www.helplanka.org.uk
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer will travel to Egypt to attend the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit, where leaders are expected to sign a US-brokered peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, his office said.
The first phase of the plan is set to begin with the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners by Monday (13), marking what Britain called a "historic turning point" after two years of war.
He is expected to call for continued international coordination to implement the next phase, which includes deploying a ceasefire monitoring mission and establishing transitional governance in Gaza.
Starmer will reiterate Britain's "steadfast support" to help secure the ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid.
Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will chair the summit, also attended by world leaders including the UN chief.
The gathering in the Red Sea resort town will bring together "leaders from more than 20 countries", Sisi's office said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will attend, as will Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sanchez of Spain.
French president Emmanuel Macron and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, according to their offices.
The European Council will be represented by its president, Antonio Costa, a spokesperson said.
"The plan offers a real chance to build a just and sustainable peace, and the EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to its implementation," the spokesperson added.
Jordan's King Abdullah II is also expected to attend, according to state media.
There was no immediate word on whether Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would participate, while Hamas has said it will not take part.
Hossam Badran, a Hamas political bureau member, said that the Palestinian militant group "will not be involved".
Hamas "acted principally through... Qatari and Egyptian mediators" during previous talks on Gaza, he said.
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