The torrential rain after months of drought has resulted in severe floods in almost 19 administrative districts in Sri Lanka, hampering the lives 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.
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.
Due to the severe flooding and landslides took place in the month of May 2016; several thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. There were number of fatalities due to the flooding and landslides. The most serious incident was the landslide happened in Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, where dozens died due to the landslide and many still missing.
'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, partnered with the Sri Lankan Association in Scotland to provide assistance to the people need immediate assistance.
Ranaviru Fund, together with the Scotland Buddhist Vihara and the Sri Lankan Association in Scotland launched an appeal for funds to support the most needed victims of these events. With the support of many well-wishers, Ranaviru Fund was able to collect a significant amount of financial donations to support a timely welfare project.
Our primary objective was to provide the rehabilitation and welfare assistance to the most effected people in the Aranayaka region in Kegalle district.
In order to deliver the welfare work at the ground level Ranaviru Fund partnered with the ‘Bellana Bodu Ekamuthuwa’ (Buddhist Association of Bellana – hereinafter referred to as BBE), a charitable organisation connected to the Bellana Sri Dharmapala Pirivena.
In assessing the requirements and the most effective delivery mechanism, on behalf of the Ranaviru Fund BBE has been in contact with the Government Agents in Kegalle District and the Aranayaka Divisional Secretariat, where all the relief efforts were coordinated and managed. Following the inquiries made BBE was given a prioritized list of requirements to assist a number of nursery and school children who lost pretty much everything they had due to the landslide.
Funds collected by the Ranaviru Fund were transferred to the bank account maintained by the BBE at the Bank of Ceylon, Mathugama branch in 2 installments.
BBE has been excellent in coordinating this project on behalf of Ranaviru Fund and we are very pleased with the end result we all have achieved together.
In addition to items donated, we were able to open Savings accounts for 21 children in their names and also deposit Rs 2,500.00 in each of the newly opened bank accounts at the People’s Bank.
Based on the recommendation and requests made by the Kegalle District GA and the Aranayaka Divisional Secretariat a number of items and equipment were donated to the benefit of nursery and school children who were affected by the landslide in Aranayaka area. In addition to items donated, we were able to open Savings accounts for 21 children in their names and also deposit Rs 2,500.00 in each of the newly opened bank accounts at the People’s Bank.
Please refer to the full project report for the financial accounts, invoices and other evidences of the project.
Ranaviru Fund would like to thank everyone who supported this timely community project.
Please visit the Photo Gallery or Google Photos album for the photo & video coverage of the event.
Our detailed report for this project is available to download by clicking the button below.
