Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) secretary general Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi recently met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen to discuss joint efforts to enhance services for poor local communities, in co-operation with Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.
The meeting was attended by QRCS president’s office director Adel al-Baker, international relations head Dr Fawzi Oussedik and Asia office head Said Tijani.
Al-Hammadi welcomed the visiting dignitary, who commended QRCS's effective work in the relief and development of many countries, including Sri Lanka. 
He also highlighted the organisation's contributions to humanitarian diplomacy through the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent's (ICIC) Islamic Forum for International Humanitarian Law (IFIHL).
Bathiudeen proposed a number of projects to support poor school and university students in Sri Lanka, in co-operation with the Organisation for Habitation and Resources Development (OHRD).
Al-Hammadi emphasised his appreciation of the partnership with Sri Lank Red Cross. "We have made remarkable achievements in Sri Lanka. Recently, we have started to dig 321 water wells to provide drinking water for underserved communities," said the QRCS secretary general.
He promised to consider the proposed projects and raise the necessary funds for meeting the needs of students and vulnerable people in Sri Lanka. "Our strategy is focused on establishing peace and promoting a culture of coexistence, in conformity with the noble Islamic teachings," he added.
Since 2014, QRCS has conducted several projects to improve the living conditions in Sri Lanka. These include digging water wells and building housing units, shops, schools, mosques, and medical centres.
These services reached out to a total of 13,100 beneficiaries, at a cost of QR3.5mn, collected mainly from the donations of benevolent Qataris.
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