Minister George Yeo hands over water purification tablets to Jaffna camp

Foreign Minister George Yeo, currently visiting Sri Lanka, has handed over 5,000 water purification tablets to help purify drinking water for internally displaced persons at a camp in Kopay, Jaffna.

The Singapore delegation also visited the historic Jaffna Library and Mr Yeo announced the contribution of 500 books from Singapore's National Library.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry says that during his meetings with the Sri Lankan leaders in the various districts, Minister Yeo expressed the hope that once peace was entrenched and trust between the communities restored in the country, there would be opportunities for tourism, education and foreign direct investment.

Mr Yeo told the Sri Lankan leaders that the successful Sri Lankan Singaporean diaspora stood ready to help Sri Lanka in its rehabilitation efforts.

Tsunami-damaged schools made new with Singapore funds

Reported by Ravi Velloor, The Straits Times

Excerpts from report:

Tangelle Primary, in Sri Lanakan President Mahinda Rajapakse's home district of Hambantota, was one of the three upgraded and refurbished schools in the island's southern province that was inaugurated by visiting Foreign Minister George Yeo yesterday...

... Singaporeans from all races, religions and walks of life contributed ot the Red Cross Society's Tidal Waves Asia Fund. Combined with funds from the Singapore Government, the total project cost for the three schools came to S$5.6million.

Thanks to that effort, some 6,400 students in Hambantota, Galle and Matare are poised to benefit every year. In addition, Singapore's Popular Bookstore will soon deliver various quantities of roller ink pens, school bags and stationery as a donation.