In a poignant gesture of solidarity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka has orchestrated the donation of a consignment of Ceylon Tea to the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, symbolizing Sri Lanka's unwavering support for their cause.
The donation, announced in a statement by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was warmly received by Ambassador Zuhair Hamdallah Zaid of Palestine to Sri Lanka.
The ceremonial handover took place on January 29, 2024, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya, presented the donation in the presence of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane. The event was attended by esteemed diplomats from Colombo-based embassies, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Libya, and the UAE.
Acting Minister Balasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka's steadfast solidarity with Palestine, emphasizing collective efforts to alleviate the suffering of its people. He also highlighted President Ranil Wickremesinghe's offer to construct a school in Palestine once stability is restored.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardena echoed Sri Lanka's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the urgency of finding a lasting solution, as reiterated in Sri Lanka's recent statement at the 19th Summit of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda.
Ambassador Hamdallah Zaid expressed profound gratitude for Sri Lanka's goodwill gesture, emphasizing the enduring friendship between Palestine and Sri Lanka.
Acknowledgments were also extended to the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Sri Lankan Airlines for facilitating the donation's transportation, as well as the KSrelief Foundation of Saudi Arabia for coordinating the delivery of the consignment to Gaza, underscoring international collaboration in times of need.
