The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse commended the efforts of World Vision Lanka’s tsunami rebuilding program and the assistance provided to the Government of Sri Lanka in its massive rebuilding project after the tsunami of December 2004.

This week World Vision Lanka marked the formal closure of its four-year tsunami program in Sri Lanka with a total investment of USD 120 Million.

“I am pleased to send this message recognizing the valuable contribution that World Vision Lanka has made through its tsunami assistance project in our country.” said the President in a special message to mark the occasion.

“As it concludes the Tsunami Program in Sri Lanka, we place on record our appreciation of the assistance so generously given by World Vision Lanka to face the challenges of the tsunami.”

“We look forward to its continuing work in Sri Lanka, especially focusing on developing rural communities of the country. I wish World Vision Lanka every success in its future humanitarian and social empowerment work in Sri Lanka.” the President added.

The Minister of Disaster Management & Human Relations, Mahinda Samarasinghe also commended the work of World Vision Lanka.

“World Vision's investment of USD 120 Million in this initiative was, in all probability, the highest amount invested by any single International NGO in support of the Government's tsunami rebuilding and rehabilitation program. The Government's efforts which have resulted in a large majority of those affected being able to reclaim their homes and livelihoods have been supplemented by valuable inputs such as these.”

“Having closely followed a number of World Vision's initiatives in Sri Lanka, I am pleased to note that the organisation is one INGO which has based its projects all across the country and is not restricted to any particular geographical location.”

“Notably, with regard to the tsunami response and recovery efforts, World Vision contributed through support to projects from Kalutara in the South-West to Jaffna District in the North – thus covering the entirety of the affected Districts.”

“My Ministry would like to encourage other NGOs to follow this example and would be gratified to see similar projects being implemented with an island-wide reach.”

World Vision Lanka National Director Suresh Bartlett thanked all those involved in the program and reiterated the organizations’ commitment to continue its work in the country.

“The success of our program was due to the steadfast support we received from all our stakeholders including Government Ministries, Divisional Secretaries, Government Agents, our donors and our partners both local and international,” said Bartlett.

“Even as we mark the closure of one of our major projects we reiterate our firm commitment to continue to work with the Government and people of Sri Lanka to assist in the development of the rural communities of the country,” he said.

World Vision has been in Sri Lanka since 1977 and has ongoing development programs in almost all the districts of Sri Lanka.