Stepping forward for humanity

• Round Table Sri Lanka’s Club 7 and 8 take the lead in helping the needy with dry rations worth Rs. 2.5 m to over 1,000 families

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every part of the world and disrupting the lives of many, the members of Round Table have stepped forward once again to help out with dry rations, medical supplies and donations to the needy. 

The project spearheaded by the Negombo Round Table 7 (NRT7) together with Colombo Tuskers Round Table 8 (CTRT8) rose to the task by gathering donations over Rs. 2.5 million in a matter of days and going out into the field to identify deserving low-income families and distributing ration packs each worth Rs. 2,500 containing dry rations, vegetables and other household essentials. So far, the two Tables have been able to distribute ration packs to over 1,000 families of daily wage earners in Colombo, Gampaha, Sabaragamuwa, Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Badulla districts. 

While NRT7 and CTRT8 are happy with their efforts they are also continuing to raise additional funding to support more families who are suffering due to these unfortunate circumstances. It is their goal to continuously support these communities at their time of need while our island paradise heals from this pandemic.

Speaking on their efforts, Chairmen of Negombo Round Table commented, “As a resilient nation who have endured a civil war that spanned for more than two decades, a devastating tsunami which took over 35,000 lives and a heinous terrorist attack which robbed us of 259 sons and daughters from our motherland, we strongly believe that as a nation, we can come out of this stronger than ever. But we can only do that if we stand in unity by coming to the aid of the tens of thousands of Sri Lankans who are unable to protect themselves.”

“With this notion in mind, we are confident of being able to raise more funds to continue supporting our community. Many Sri Lankans from all walks of life are facing an unprecedented global health crisis which is spreading human suffering, killing people and overturning people’s lives. None more so are affected by this crisis than the daily wage earners who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the island-wide lockdown and curfew imposed. Without an income or savings to put food on the table, the families of these workers are now on the brink of starvation.” 

Round Table is networked across the world with over 35,000 members is a non-political, non-sectarian association open to young men between the ages of 18 and 40, from any profession or trade. The objects of the association are the encouragement of high ethical standards in commercial life, the promotion of fellowship amongst young professional and businessmen, and to ‘empower each individual to make a positive impact at home, work and in his community’.

If you are willing to contribute to this worthy cause, please be kind enough to get in touch with  Chedi Jitendra Uduman: +94 773 546 596/Dhanushka Thenabadu: +94 779 128 998/Radhike Cooray: +94 777 775 000 or visit http://covid19.ctrt8.org/.