Water level at the Kelani River’s southern embankment (Pics)

Cabinet approval has been granted to establish the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, aimed at rebuilding the country following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history. The Fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, will serve as the Chairman of the Committee, while Mr. G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, will serve as the Convener.

The other members of the Committee are:

·         Mr. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province and Special Representative of the President for Foreign Investments

·         Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance

·         Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Adviser to the President

·         Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunawadhana, Director General For Europe & North America, Ministry Of Foriegn Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

·         Mr. Mohan Pandithage, Chairman, Hayleys Group

·         Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairman, John Keells

·         Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Aitken Spence

·         Mr. Ashroff Omar, Group Chief Executive Officer, Brandix

·         Mr. Ishara Nanayakkara, Executive Chairman, LOLC Holdings

The Management Committee will be empowered to ensure the effective administration of the Fund, including assessing requirements, setting priorities, allocating resources and disbursing funds for approved recovery activities. The Committee will also ensure full transparency in all financial operations of the Fund, including financial management and auditing.

Accordingly, contributions may be made to the Fund by any donor, local or overseas, either in Sri Lankan Rupees or in any foreign currency, to the following Bank of Ceylon account:

Account Name: Deputy Secretary to the Treasury

Account Number: 2026450
Bank: Bank of Ceylon, Taprobane Branch
Swift Code: BCEYLKLX

In addition, donors wishing to make direct deposits into foreign currency accounts of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka may do so through the following accounts.

Account details for foreign currency deposits:

1. US Dollar (USD)

Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, USA

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 04015541

Routing Number: 021001033

SWIFT: BKTRUS33XXX

2. Euro (EUR)

Bank: ODDO BHF Bank, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 0000739854

IBAN: DE39500202000000739854

SWIFT: BHFBDEFF500

3. Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 1

Bank: HSBC Bank Plc, London, UK

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 39600144

Sort Code: 40-05-15

IBAN: GB48MIDL40051539600144

SWIFT: MIDLGB22XXX

4. Pound Sterling (GBP) – Account 2

Bank: Bank of Ceylon (UK) Ltd, London, UK

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 88001249

Sort Code: 40-50-56

IBAN: GB89BCEY40505688001249

SWIFT: BCEYGB2LXXX

5. Japanese Yen (JPY)

Bank: MUFG Bank, Tokyo, Japan

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 653-0407895

SWIFT: BOTKJPJTXXX

 6. Australian Dollar (AUD)

Bank: Reserve Bank of Australia

Recipient Account Name: Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Account Number: 81736-4

BSB: 092002

SWIFT: RSBKAU2SXXX