24 May, 2016
In response to the large number of men, women and children whom have been severely affected by the recent floods in Sri Lanka, the John Keells Group committed a substantial monetary contribution towards immediate flood relief through the Sirasa Shakthi John Keells Sahana Yathra. In addition, John Keells Group volunteers were mobilized to assist in sorting and packing the relief items, with a plan of deploying approximately 100,000 packs of dry rations to affected areas. Areas were finalized in discussion with the Disaster Management Centre including Kilinochchi, Aranayaka (Kegalle District), Wennapuwa (Puttalam District), Gampaha and Kolonnawa and Kaduwela (Colombo District).
The first convoy of relief consignments left the Maharaja group collection centre down Darley Road earlier this morning ( 20th May 2016). Sorting and packing of more relief items are underway today. The separate John Keells business units have also been involved in collecting dry rations and other essential relief items. We are heartened by the numerous queries and offers of assistance received from our staff, with more than 200+ volunteers working tirelessly, past midnight on sorting and packing relief items. Meanwhile Group businesses in the affected areas will also support the distribution of relief items.
John Keells Foundation will continue to monitor the situation, and assess the needs, to provide relief in the short term as well as to assist affected persons in the resettlement process.