Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has donated more than Dh100,000 ($24,224) to underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka.

A delegation from Etihad Airways visited Sri Lanka this week to present the donation, raised through a series of charitable initiatives in Abu Dhabi.

Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah Al Mulla, the UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka, joined the the airline’s delegation headed by Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior vice president of Government and Aero-political Affairs. The delegation also included Ali Al Shamsi, vice president of Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Hub, and Kumar De Silva, Etihad Airways’ general manager in Sri Lanka, among others.

The two-day programme included the official opening of the Maha Vidyalaya School in Alankuda which was fully rebuilt with funds raised by the Abu Dhabi-based airline. The school benefits 1,500 students who received care packages with school bags, stationery, shirts, blankets, dates, and clothes. 

Al Mehairbi, who also serves as chairman of Etihad Airways’ Sports and Social Committee, said: “As the UAE flag carrier, we are committed to giving back to those in need. We are extremely proud to play a part in helping these students pursue their studies and hope that our visit will help raise awareness of global education, and at the same time celebrate our 11 years of operations in Sri Lanka.”

The visit also included the official launch of a new women’s clinic at the District Kalpitiya Hospital in Puttalam located north west of Colombo.

Etihad Airways funded the establishment and refurbishment of the new clinic to improve health and wellness of women in rural areas and increase awareness of the importance of the early detection of breast cancer.

The airline’s Guest Services team donated Dh50,000 ($13,612) to the clinic raised through various charitable initiatives and activities during 2014. Blankets were also distributed to in-house patients.

The delegation concluded its trip with a visit to St Joseph Orphanage in Colombo where more than 500 children received care packages comprising blankets, clothes and toys.

“We are happy that our donations put a smile on the faces of our children and friends in Sri Lanka. Our special thanks go to all parties who supported the success of this trip including The Red Crescent, The UAE Embassy in Sri Lanka, the Etihad Airways’ team, Abu Dhabi Police, Immigration Department at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi Airports Companies’ staff (ADAC), and Etihad staff at Abu Dhabi International Airport,” Al Mehairbi said. – TradeArabia News Service