President establishes new fund for children in need

President Maithripala Sirisena, marking Universal Children's Day yesterday, established a new trust fund for children who are in need of help due to various reasons.

The Daruwan Surakimu (Let's Protect Children) Trust was established by the President on 1 October at the President's Office, President's Media Division said.

"Children are so precious for a nation. They represent the future of a country and are expected to be the leaders of the country. However, in each society, there are children who have lost their privileges due to various reasons. Hence it is the responsibility of the Government and all the citizens to help them out," the President said.

The Daruwan Surakimu Trust has been established in order to pave the way for persons and organisations that are willing to make donations responsibly and legally.

Supporting children who are living in extreme poverty, looking after children who have lost their parents, helping children who have been abandoned by their parents, and supporting children with physical disabilities, are some of the tasks set to be carried out through this fund.

In addition, the fund also looks to help children who are, despite being immensely talented, failing to move forward due to poverty.

The President officially handed over the donations by State institutes, including the Tri-Forces, and private organisations, to this fund.

The President started off work on World Children's Day by handing over Rs. 2 million each to three families with triplets born recently.