What happened to tsunami aid from Venezuela? - JVP MP Vijitha Herath
By: Dasun Edrisinghe
Courtesy: The Island - February 10, 2007
JVP MP Vijitha Herath yesterday wanted to know what the government had done with the US dollars 6.2 million it had received from Venezuela as tsunami assistance.
He said the money was collected by the people of Venezuela, with President Hugo Chavez launching the fund raiser and sent to Sri Lanka in mid July 2005 during former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s term of government.
“The funds were collected by the people of Venezuela as a symbol of their solidarity with the tsunami-affected people in Sri Lanka. It was initiated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,” Herath told The Island yesterday.
“The Venezuelan government has inquired about what was done with the money but has received no answer,” he said.
Herath said the Venezuelan Chief Director of the Cabinet of the Vice Minister Asia Middle East and the Pacific Wolheng Gonzales had told him in the presence of the Venezuela’s Ambassador to India, Milena Santana-Ramirez, that they believed the money had been misused.
He said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had led the fund raiser titled ‘One Bolivar for Asia’ and it was mainly the poor Venezuelans who had contributed in order to show their solidarity with the tsunami affected people.
The meeting between the JVP and Venezuelan government officials took place last week at the Colombo Hilton, where the two teams discussed measures to be taken to strengthen bi-lateral relations between the two nations.
Venezuela’s contribution was for the construction of 1,000 houses in Arugambay, Ampara. “A Venezuelan delegation was accompanied by the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to Arugambay to survey the area after the catastrophe. When they had promised this huge sum of money as aid, our PM had promised to invite the Venezuelan government to send a delegation to declare open this village. Now, Venezuela is wondering what our people had done with money as there is no sign of the 1,000-houses scheme, Herath said.
Published: Feb 09, 2007 22:02:59 GMT
Comments [ 4 ]:
Sayon from Canada on Feb 10, 2007 2:33:15 GMT
We Tamil Diaspora owe to Tamil Tsunami victims. So, we should urge our western governments and NGOs (such Care, Red Cross) also urge the GoSL to detail the Tsunami aid. I would alos like to point out that an audit is long due on Tsunami aid in Sri Lanka. The outsted Mangala Samaraweera will expose many corruptions soon.
We should start changing our mindset and start thinking that we deal with a “Terrorist State”.
Shane from USA on Feb 10, 2007 1:17:28 GMT
I have to say with this entire power squabble over who get to hold what portfolio; we will get to know which politician stole the most money. I hope this is good future reference for the international donors. YOU ARE NOT HELPING THE AFFECTED; INSTEAD YOU’RE BEING AN ASSALANTS TO A HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
Pon from Canada on Feb 10, 2007 1:01:03 GMT
Check the Bank accounts of Rajapakse holdings. We had the fraud of Helping Hambantota. Now the fraud of Rajapakse family.
Vincent K from United Kingdom on Feb 09, 2007 23:37:05 GMT
“Panamentral pinamum vaithirakum”. Even a corpse will open its mouth if it is money as the tamil saying goes. Any government or International body giving money to Sri Lanka are fools. How could they give money without checking how it is going to be spent? You can’t give money to a government which has a very bloated cabinet; has had 3 foreign ministers in fewer than 3 years and flouts international law. Give us your money but bugger off( pardon my french) is what they have been saying. It used to be a bit suttle but now the power has gone to their heads. They think they are in Chile, El salvador etc. Do you see an American hand in all this or is it my imagination?
source:
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=490&id=4770
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