The torrential rains after months of drought has resulted in severe floods in almost 19 administrative districts in Sri Lanka, hampering the lived of thousands. The worst scenario had been the landslides in the mountain regions where still many lives are unaccounted for.
Heavy rains from Thursday 12th May 2016 pounded the central Sri Lankan region where at least three villages have already been swallowed by mountains of mud, forcing soldiers and police to suspend rescue work. At least 18 people are known to have been killed and hundreds are reported missing in the landslides so far.
Rescue work had resumed before fresh rains began in the area. Military spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera told reporters in the capital, Colombo, that the army was assessing the situation and would deploy more troops in the worst-hit Kegalle district if needed.
Heavy rains have lashed across the island nation for several days and officials said the extent of the tragedy was still unclear. The Sri Lankan Red Cross said at least 220 families were unaccounted for.
'Ranaviru Fund' and 'Scotland Buddhist Vihara', two Scotland based Charities have been working in Sri Lanka over the years in providing welfare and medical aid for people in need, now partnered with the Sri Lankan Association in Scotland (www.slascot.org.uk) to provide assistance to the people need immediate assistance.
We are delivering the required assistance, goods & services through the volunteers working with Bellana Maha Pirivena, a Buddhist Monastry, and also the Head Quarters of Scotland Buddhist Vihara.
BBC Report on recent events: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36328863
What we are doing
We are sourcing the immediate and urgently required items to support the victims effectively. All required material and aid will be facilitated by our volunteers in Sri Lanka and support offered will be coordinated through the District and Divisional Secretariat Offices in the region.
How you can help
At this stage we will only collect financial donations through our online donation facility via Charity Choice.
Please donate genoursly and also Gift Aid your donation if you are a UK Tax Payer.
Follow this link (or click the Charity Choice Donate Now button on right and select Sri Lanka Flood Appeal) to make your donation securely and swiftly:
www.charitychoice.co.uk/ranavirufund/appeal/sri-lanka-flood-appeal/593/donate
We appreciate if you could pass this message on to your friends, family, colleagues and other contacts so we could provide the maximum possible support.
Thank you.
Supporting those in need in partnership:
Ranaviru Fund - www.ranavirufund.org
Scotland Buddhist Vihara - www.tsbv.org.uk
Sri Lankan Associatiuon in Scotland - www.slascot.org.uk
