Recognition Awards for Helplanka at UK Parliament
Posted on November 22nd, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
UKandSri Lankabased charity Helplanka and its Directors and Volunteers were hosted by Tom Brake MP ( Patron of Helpanka) at a Reception at The House of Commons inLondon. Messages of congratulationsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ from ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ both HE Mahinda Rajapakse and Rt Hon Nick Clegg were read at the event which was attended by several UK MPs and Mr P Hamza Deputy High Commissioner forSri Lankain theUK.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Among the winners of awards for outstanding achievement were several Sri Lankan Nationals whose contribution to the charity has been exemplary including :
Mr Rushan Pathirana, Mrs Inoka Sirimanna, Mr Indika Goonetillake, Mr Prabath Dissanayake, and Mrs Florence Goonetillake.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A group of students and teachers from Barry Comprehensive Wales who visited HelplankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s projects in July gave a very heart rendering account of their experiences working with Special needs children , rural schools in Gampaha and Ragama and Deaf and Blind schools inSri Lanka.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A framed ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ painting by a 14 year old Deaf girl from Sri Lanka was also donated St Helier NHS Trust as a thank you for the hospitalƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s donation of 55 analogue hearing aids which Helplanka donated to the Nuffield School for Deaf in Jaffna last December.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sam Goonetillake, Chief Executive, who organised the event said : ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- This awards evening is a way of remembering the efforts of so many in donating, volunteering, visiting projects, teaching and making children smile again in Sri Lanka- I am particularly proud ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the fact that ,in the last 6 years, Helplanka has managed to help over 30,000 children from all ethnicities in Sri Lanka. I am extremely grateful to Tom Brake MP and all our Helplanka Team for their support and I am humbled by the contribution of so many selfless people in helping disadvantaged children inSri Lankato a better life through education. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Press Enquiries
Sam Goonetillake
Chief Executive
Helplanka
07963 331138
E mail sam@helplanka.co.uk