Seneha Siyapatha 2017 commences construction in Ehaliyagoda, Ratnapura

Tuesday, 12 September 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Karunarathna Paranawithana, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara, Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management Dunesh Gankanda and Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations John Senevirathne

The foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed Seneha Siyapatha Gammanaya at Ehaliyagoda, Ratnapura, initiated by Sri Lanka’s premier telecommunication services provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, was held under the auspices of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations John Senevirathne, Deputy Minister of Disaster Management Dunesh Gankanda, Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Karunarathna Paranawithana, Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Marketing Officer Amali Nanayakkara, District Secretary Rathnapura Malani Lokupothagama, Divisional Secretary Eheliyagoda R.H.S. Disanayake, representatives from the Ministry of Defense, representatives from the Sri Lankan Navy and representatives from the Sri Lankan Air Force also attended the foundation stone laying ceremony as special invitees.

A total of 37 houses will be constructed under Seneha Siyapatha 2017 at a cost of Rs. 57.5 million. Civil construction services will be contributed at no cost by the Ministry of Defense with participation from tri-forces personal of Sri Lanka. The program mustered Rs.16.53 million through the generosity of Dialog’s customers, whilst Dialog Axiata added Rs.33.47 million and RIL Property PLC also made a kind donation amounting to Rs.7.5 million to raise the Seneha Siyapatha fund to Rs.57.5 million.

Under phase one of Seneha Siyapatha 2017, construction work has commenced to build 12 houses at Kotapola in the Matara District. The houses are constructed as per specifications given by the NBRO (National Building Research Organisation) under the aegis of the Ministry of Disaster Management and the project is managed by Dialog Axiata PLC.

The Seneha Siyapatha Fund was initiated by Dialog Axiata for the first time on 20 May 2016, in line with the mission to serve communities who are affected by natural disasters. Dialog Axiata PLC appealed to its subscribers to donate Rs.50 for relief operations via SMS (Short Message Service), Star Points and eZ Cash following the natural disasters. Dialog tripled the donation by adding Rs.100, thereby donating Rs.150 to the project fund.

The disbursement of funds and the actions of the ‘Senehe Siyapatha’ initiative are independently audited by Price waterhouse Coopers Sri Lanka, with the report published on sm.dialog.lk/floodrelief.