Russian Federation pledges continuous help to rebuild tsunami hit areas

 
The Russian Federation pledged its continuous support and assistance to rebuild the areas and facilities devastated by the tsunami. "Russia is ready to continue assisting Sri Lanka to re-build the infrastructure facilities depending on the Sri Lankan Governments request," Alexander Vilnin, Acting Ambassador of the Russian Federation told a press briefing on Wednesday.
He said Russia is ready to provide short-term and long-term assistance especially to re-build the infrastructure damaged by tsunami.

"We are now awaiting the Sri Lankan Government's response," Vilnin said, adding that the possible assistance will be determined at the Sri Lankan Government's request.
He said up to now, the Russian Federation has sent seven IL 76 flights to Sri Lanka carrying tonnes of humanitarian aid.
"Russia has also sent an aero mobile hospital with 50 beds and 42 doctors and other rescue workers," Vilnin said.

E. Filatov from the Russian Federation's Ministry of Emergency said he was serving in Sri Lanka with the mobile hospital sent from Russia. "Initially, we are here for 20 days and upon the Sri Lankan Government's request, we can extend our stay to help the affected people," he said.

Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, International Secretary of the Sri Lanka -Russia Friendship Society said they were planning to register a Russian NGO in Sri Lanka to provide continuous assistance to affected people.
"We are focusing on several projects. We are planning to build an orphanage, scholarship for the affected children and also to build houses in affected areas," he added. Russian Centre Chief Administrative Officer, Buddapriya Ramanayake said the Russian Federation was the first country which airlifted relief to Sri Lanka following the tsunami tragedy.
 
 
 
 
The Russian flight IL 76 arrived in Sri Lanka on December 27 carrying three defender jeeps, one helicopter, other humanitarian aid including tents, other emergency supplies and a rescue team of 25," he said.
The Sri Lankan Community in Moscow has also made a financial contribution for the tsunami disaster victims' welfare.
Two hundred Russian graduates are doing voluntary work in many parts of Sri Lanka's tsunami affected areas.
Ramanayake commended Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Dr. D. Wickremage and Mrs. Priyadarshani Karunaratne's prompt action, in Moscow, in extending assistance to help the affected people.
Russian Centre Director Mikhail Ustinov and Sri Lanka-Russia Friendship Society's Secretary Dilantha Vithanage were also present.