London Stock Exchange Group backs initial COVID-19 donation with additional funding

June, 16, 2020

  • LSEG to donate further LKR 9.1 million (USD. 47,896.15) to UNICEF

  • Funding utilised for the provision of an ICU ventilator (adult and paediatric) to the Ministry of Health (MoH), conversion of Kattankudy Base Hospital into a COVID-19 isolation and treatment hospital and purchase of hand sanitizer and surgical face masks for front-line COVID-19 emergency health workers.

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), announced that is has donated an additional LKR 3.0 million to a project to convert the Kattankudy Base Hospital into a COVID-19 isolation and treatment hospital. The project is being facilitated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Kattankudy Base Hospital was selected on the recommendation of the Ministry of Health (MoH), as it is centrally located between the three (03) districts in the Eastern Province, namely Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee, and also due to its close proximity to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital and its existing infrastructure. The refurbishment project was successfully completed and handed over to the MoH on 28 May 2020.

To minimise the risk of cross-contamination from Coronavirus (COVID-19) for emergency front line health workers, LSEG additionally donated LKR 2.8 million for the purchase of 10,000 hand sanitizers and 10,000 surgical face masks. Procured by UNICEF, these items have been handed to the Family Health Bureau (FHB).

In addition, LSEG also announced the donation of LKR 3.3 Million to UNICEF supporting the purchase an ICU ventilator for adult and paediatric use in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Sri Lanka. This was in response to an urgent requirement outlined in the Government of Sri Lanka’s emergency plan.

Mr. Shanaka Abeywickrama, Head of Marketing and Communications, Sri Lanka and Group Technology, London Stock Exchange Group said “At LSEG, one of our core values is Partnership, and we believe that this proactive approach to collaboration is the best way to ensure that we move forward together as one global community. As such, we are proud to have partnered with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to continuously support its emergency response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mr. Tim Sutton, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka commented:
“COVID-19 presents an unprecedented challenge for Sri Lanka making the knowledge and partnership of leading businesses even more critical. UNICEF thanks the London Stock Exchange Group for once again taking the lead and committing further critical funding for Sri Lanka’s COVID- 19 response. Their timely and continued support will help to ensure that the most vulnerable communities including children and young people - wherever they are in the country – are better protected and prepared.”

In April 2020, LSEG donated LKR 5 million (USD. 27,624.30) towards purchasing essential medical supplies and materials, working closely with the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services, UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO). Additionally, the Group also conducted an internal fundraising programme with the support of staff donations and partnered with World Vision Lanka to provide essential items to 1872 families in the areas of Mullaitivu, Muttur, Kiran, Wattala, Bibile, Koralaipattu, Meegahakiyula and Mannar. Beneficiaries included women-headed households, people with disabilities, daily wage families and those fighting malnutrition and facing other vulnerabilities.

Photo - From left to right: Feroz Cader (Co-Head of LSEG Technology, Sri Lanka), Arjuna Nanayakkara (Head of Shared Services Centre, Sri Lanka), Dr. Anil Jasinghe (Director General of Health Services), Shanaka Abeywickrama (Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications – Sri Lanka and Group Technology), and Sara Sadoon (Associate Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability).

 

From left to right: Sara Sadoon (Associate Manager – Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability), Shanaka Abeywickrama (Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications – Sri Lanka and Group Technology), Arjuna Nanayakkara (Head of Shared Services Centre, Sri Lanka), Pavithra Wanniarachchi (Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine), Feroz Cader (Co- Head of LSEG Technology, Sri Lanka), Kanchana Jayarathna (Coordinating Secretary of Hon. Minister) and Janaka Sri Chandraguptha (Additional Secretary - Development)

Video Story

Stock Market

Exchange Rates