Joint Press Release by the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington D.C., and Heart to Heart International, United States

In response to the current shortage of cancer medicines in Sri Lanka, Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe requested Heart to Heart International to donate urgent cancer medicines worth approximately $12,802,367.66 USD (i.e., LKR 4.29 billion) to the people of Sri Lanka. The latest donation includes sunitinib malate which is an oncology drug used to treat certain types of cancers (kidney, pancreas and intestinal).

Facilitated by the Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Health and Disaster Management Center (DMC) in Sri Lanka and this Embassy, the donation is due to arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka, via air on 13^th August 2023, at no cost to the people of Sri Lanka. Heart to Heart International has borne all expenses, and the donation will be received by the Ministry of Health for immediate distribution. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C. greatly appreciates the continued assistance provided by Heart to Heart International.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Heart to Heart International (HHI) is a global humanitarian organization focused on improving access to health. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $2.6 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity, a BBB Accredited charity and is on the "Philanthropy 400."

Embassy of Sri Lanka,                                                                                  Heart to Heart International,

Washington, D.C.                                                                                          Kansas

9^th August 2023