Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

Senior officials of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) met with  the State Minister of Defence in Sri Lanka Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo yesterday (Dec. 11).

Upon arrival, the delegation led by BMGF’s Deputy Director for Emergency Response, Global Development Dr. Valerie Bemo was warmly received by the Minister of Defence and had a discussion on matters related to the launch of the Sustainable National Anticipatory Action through Preparedness initiative in South Asia.

The delegation comprised of the BMGF’s Senior Program Officer for Emergency Response, Global Development Ms. Pilar Pacheco, Director of Preparedness for Response and Recovery Dr Sisira Madurapperuma and Ms. Nirmala Fernando from Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre.

The BMGF has long supported disaster risk reduction initiatives in the region including several programs in Sri Lanka.

The Director General, Disaster Management Centre Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe (Retd) was also present at the occasion.