London Stock Exchange Group donates Rs. 5 m to UNICEF in support of COVID-19 response in Sri Lanka

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has donated Rs. 5 million ($ 27,624.30) to the Unit-ed Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Rs. 5 million donation from LSEG has been utilised by UNICEF to purchase essential medical supplies and materials to equip COVID-19 isolation units located across the country, and in direct response to the requirements of the Ministry of Health and Indige-nous Medical Services. Purchased items include five multi-parameter monitors, 20 sphygmomanometers, three BP apparatus, eight syringe pumps and one infusion pump. 

These critical medical supplies were formally handed over to Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Pavithra Wanniarachchi, accompanied by Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Additional Secretary, Medical Services Dr. A. K. S. de Alwis and Coordinating Secretary of the Minister Kanchana Jayarathna, by LSEG Technol-ogy Sri Lanka Co-Head Feroz Cader and Shared Services Centre, Sri Lanka Head Arjuna Nanayakkara on 7 April at the Ministry of Health, Colombo.

Head of Marketing and Communications, Sri Lanka and Group Technology, London Stock Exchange Group Shanaka Abeywickrama said, “It is at times like these that organisations need to play a major role in assisting the relevant authorities to do all they can to safe-guard our fellow country men and women. The health and wellbeing of our colleagues and those in the wider communities in which we operate are of paramount importance and we are pleased to be able to provide assistance to mitigate this public health crisis.”

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Tim Sutton commented: “UNICEF thanks London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) for their timely donation in support of Sri Lanka’s response to COVID-19. These are extraordinary times for Sri Lanka and the world, and it is clear that to protect all citizens, including children, young people and the most vulnerable, Sri Lanka need all parts of society to respond. LSEG are leading by example from the busi-ness community. Their financial support, and UNICEF’s considerable expertise, has deliv-ered essential supplies in support of the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka.  We en-courage other businesses to join this important action.” 

UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, and the World Health Organization to curb the spread of the COVID-19. UNICEF’s technical expertise is provided in procuring essential medical supplies in treating COVID-19 patients. Further UNICEF partners with the WHO and the MOH is developing effective public health messaging, strategies and campaigns to reach all Sri Lankans with important information during the outbreak. UNICEF will continue to work closely with the Government, partners and other UN agencies to deliver against the needs of the country during and after the outbreak. 

London Stock Exchange Group is supporting the Government’s emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country through various means and works closely with the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, and WHO, providing all necessary support. Apart from funding of crucial medical supplies, as a further response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, LSEG is working with World Vision Lanka to ensure families affected by the lockdown are provided with essential items. Its Sri Lankan col-leagues have enhanced this effort by forgoing parts of their monthly wages to contribute towards the packs of dry rations to be distributed.