Turkey presents 3D printer to Peradeniya University’s Agriculture Faculty

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the official aid agency of Turkey donated a 3D printer to the Agriculture Faculty of the University of Peradeniya at a ceremony held at the Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey on Tuesday.

Prof. Gamini Pushpakumara, the Dean of the Agriculture Faculty, accepted the 3D printer from Turkey’s Ambassador Tunca Özçuhadar. Prof. B.F.A. Basnayake, Prof. K.S.P. Amaratunga, Prof. M.I.M. Mowjood and Dr. S. Pathmarajah were among those present at the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Özçuhadar explained Turkey’s humanitarian and development assistance policy. He said Turkey is a strong advocate of international solidarity and partnership and that Turkey last year provided US$ 8 billion worth humanitarian assistance world-wide. He said: “When we consider the amount of official humanitarian assistance as a percentage of a country’s national income, Turkey is the world’s largest donor country.”

He said Turkey is active in providing assistance to friendly countries through the Turkish Red Crescent Society, TIKA and numerous Turkish NGOs.

Mr. Özçuhadar said that in addition to providing bilateral assistance, Turkey is also active in the International arena. He cited Turkey’s membership in the UN OCHA Donor Support Group and explained Turkey’s hosting of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016.

“Our humanitarian assistance policy is development-oriented. For example, while providing humanitarian aid such as delivering food and medicine to a country in need, Turkey will also simultaneously facilitate capacity building programmes, construct essential infrastructure, and also provide education, sanitation and health services.

“We believe that only through development-oriented assistance, will a country truly achieve sustainable growth. We call this approach the sustainable and collective strategy of assistance. By donating the 3D printer to the University of Peradeniya, Turkey could help the Sri Lankan youth to acquire skills and enrich the workforce of Sri Lanka.”

“Our humanitarian assistance policy is developmentoriented. For example, while providing humanitarian aid such as delivering food and medicine to a country in need, Turkey will also simultaneously facilitate capacity building programmes, construct essential infrastructure, and also provide education, sanitation and health services.