Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, together with members of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association (SLFSA), handed over a cheque to Rear Admiral H I A Gunawardena, Director General (Services) of the Sri Lanka Navy, for the installation of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification plant for the Thushara Funeral Aid Society, No. 668, Palagala, Anuradhapura. The ceremony took place on 26 October 2026 at the Ministry.

The plant, to be installed by the Sri Lanka Navy, is expected to provide safe drinking water to approximately 406 families, or more than 1,750 people. Anuradhapura is among the districts most affected by Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), and access to safe drinking water is a key measure in reducing community exposure to the disease's risk factors.

The project was funded through contributions from donors, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Khuzaimah Jafferjee, Vice President of the Anjuman E Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust, and CHEC Port City Colombo (Private) Limited made in support of the Annual Diplomatic Bazaar and Cultural Extravaganza. Although the Bazaar could not be held as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances, these contributions enabled the SLFSA to proceed with the project. 

At the same event, SLFSA President Anzul Jhan handed over a cheque for LKR 1 million to representatives of the Palagathurai Village Development Society for the modernization of Kattuwa Railway Station in the Negombo area. The funds, contributed by members of the SLFSA, will support an initiative spearheaded by the "Kattuwa Railway Family" community committee to upgrade the station's facilities to modern standards and improve convenience for both local and foreign passengers. This is part of the Government initiative to upgrade Railway infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Planned improvements include renovating the sanitary facilities, repainting the station premises, providing potable water and enhancing the overall appearance of the station. The Palagathurai Village Development Society will lead the implementation of the project.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dr. Niroshini Adhikaram, Consultant Community Physician, National Renal Disease Prevention and Research Unit, Ministry of Health,  Rear Admiral H I A Gunawardena, Director General (Services), and Lieutenant Commander (E) A M M D K Adhikari of the Sri Lanka Navy, 

Mr. M A M S Pemasiri, Treasurer, and Mr. I G I P Lilarathna, Secretary of the Thushara Funeral Aid Society,  representatives of the Palagathurai Village Development Society, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, and members of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

Colombo 01

26 October 2026