NCCSL offers full support for battle against COVID-19

At a time where the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the humanity,  the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka(NCCSL) expressed its willingness to support, cooperate and address the curtailing of the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting the national vaccination plan and  providing required facilities.

Addressing a media briefing held yesterday in Colombo, the NCCSL General Secretary Rev.Maxwell Doss said it was well aware of the national vaccination plan and was ready to provide necessary  facilities if the authorities so requested. “We are ready to provide the infected patients with necessary lodging facilities for quarantine purposes and we also expect to provide some of our buildings for vaccination programmes. In event of a need to accommodate people for ‘quarantine’, we can make available facilities that come under our purview.”
Rev.Doss said the NCCSL was concerned about the poverty-stricken people, especially the daily wage earners who were being quarantined. “we are ready to provide financial assistance to these people  as their family members might be economically burdened. Acknowledging the impact on the daily wage earners subject to ‘quarantine measures’, and given the vulnerability of economic constraints of the families left behind, we can look into the possibility of offering basic financial support in such situations, depending on the needs.”

The NCCSL Chairperson and the president of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, Rev. Ebenezer Joseph said, “We raise our concern over those who have been stranded without being able to come to Sri Lanka. The number of Sri Lankans who are unable to return is a concern to us and the fact that of affordable facilities is an issue. We call upon all Sri Lankans to rally round with all organisations that are working to bring back these people who once worked to keep our economy afloat.”

When questioned whether the NCCSL was expecting to extend psychological support for the affected by the pandemic,  the Bishop of Kurunegala,Church of Ceylon, Rt. Rev. Keerthisiri Fernando said the NCCSL has a set of well-trained personnel who can help address the psychological issues. If any special request is made we are ready to help. He noted it was necessary to make  people aware of health guidelines without creating fear. “It is necessary that relevant health authorities make the public informed with their expert knowledge. He said the NCCSL was coming forward as a responsible body  to support, cooperate and address the curtailing of the transmission of the virus. He also called upon all people  to strictly adhere to the instructions and stipulated guidelines issued by the Health Authorities in  daily life and work.He called upon  people to engage in collective action, lifting up the land, along with other nations; especially our immediate neighbour, India, for the much -needed healing and restoration of life and work.