Standing in solidarity with friends and partners in Sri Lanka in the fight against COVID19., Temasek Foundation presented 1 million Livinguard reusable masks to Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Singapore Sashikala Premawardhane for the people of Sri Lanka. The presentation was made by CEO of Temasek Foundation International Benedict Cheong at a ceremony held on 11th September.
Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Chee Hong Tat and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka His Excellency Chandra Das were on hand to witness the handover of masks dedicated to frontline workers in healthcare, education and law enforcement sectors in Sri Lanka.
This donation was unique as the face masks donated were manufactured in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic by apparel conglomerate MAS Holdings using Livinguard technology for Temasek Foundation, Singapore. Speaking at the ceremony High Commissioner Premawardhane commended the Sri Lankan apparel industry for turning hardship into opportunity and remaining agile. She stated that companies such as MAS Holdings demonstrate their resilience and expertise in the field and their ability to continue to deliver world class products. She thanked the Government of Singapore and Temasek Foundation for ensuring support for Sri Lanka in this venture. The masks were produced in Sri Lanka using patented Livinguard antiviral technology, and can be washed and reused multiple times.
The production of Livinguard masks in Sri Lanka, to be used in Singapore, is a result of efforts by both counties to deal effectively with supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and create win-win economic opportunities for mutual benefit.
The Temasek Foundation earlier this year donated 10,000 Fortitude PCR test kits, 50 Oxygen Concentrators, 50 ResMed BiPAPs, 25 Medtronic Ventilators and PPE items, to the Government of Sri Lanka, helping its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic
Temasek Foundation has also continued to support people-to-people relations by providing capability building programmes and knowledge exchange opportunities between both countries. Over the years, over 4,000 Sri Lankans have participated in these programmes.
As Sri Lanka and Singapore celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2020, this timely gesture by the Temasek Foundation will help further strengthen the people to people ties between the two countries.
