US donates equipment for Sri Lanka’s frontline responders to COVID-19

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz today handed over a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other materials to Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe (ret’d), Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, to contribute to Sri Lanka’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, US Embassy in Colombo said.

The donation is part of the “All of America” approach to combating COVID-19 and will help strengthen Sri Lanka’s readiness to respond to public health emergencies.

The U.S. Department of Defense funded the donation, which includes more than 48,000 masks, safety goggles, and isolation gowns with hoods.  All items were purchased in Sri Lanka in order to champion Sri Lankan businesses as they recover from COVID-19’s economic impact.

“The United States is proud to assist Sri Lanka’s frontline responders as they care for Sri Lankans suffering from Coronavirus,” said Ambassador Teplitz.  “Helping to protect these healthcare workers while supporting Sri Lankan businesses and jobs is just one component of our deep friendship.”  The donation is part of U.S. support to expand the flexibility, agility, and resilience of Sri Lanka’s disaster response sector.

In coordination with the Ministry of Defense and disaster relief authorities, the donations will be distributed to the following health care facilities:

• Kandy District Health Directorate
• Colombo East First Responders
• Colombo BIA First Responders
• Kilinochchi General Hospital
• Vavuniya Regional Health Center
• Jaffna Government Hospital
• Gampaha Hospital
• Batticaloa Health Services