Sri Lanka - Humanitarian Appeal from Jathika Punarjeewana Padanama ? (The National Rejuvenation Foundation)

The head count of fatalities could be over more than the official figure of 30,000. Undoubtedly a tragedy of this proportion was never envisaged in Sri Lanka and if clandestine operations to rescue and resuscitate the population is continued without a corporate plan this country will suffer post traumatic consequences for many decades to come.

Sri Lanka must come out of this misfortune by uniting as a singular force; one Country, one Nation. The ruling party, the opposition and all other minority political groups should unite in to a common consensus when seeking funds from donor countries. Through such unity it would be possible to guide the people of this nation to disregard the political affiliations in confronting disasters of this nature and magnitude.

If one lesson is to be drawn out of this catastrophe, it must be that the people of this nation still regard the yellow robe of the Sangha and the local temple as their primary access to refuge. Most of the refugee camps to date have been formed involuntarily in the temple lands by people choosing to walk in to it.

Temple land in each village had been filled with many thousands of refugees irrespective of race or religion. The monks too provided continuous service to these humble folk without rest or sleep for days.

It is therefore not surprising that the nation?s most prominent Buddhist monks felt the need to initiate an appropriate national programme to redress the current situation. Lead by 25 monks of local and international repute it was decided to consolidate such magnanimous effort to a foundation named "Jaathika Punarjeewana Padanama". (NATIONAL FOUNDATION for Rejuvenation of SRI LANKA "NFRSL").

The leading monks involved in this project are:
1) Akuratiye Nanda Thero
2) Rajawaththe Wappa Thero
3) Badagiriye Somawansa Thero
4) Ellawala Medananda Thero
5) Omalpe Sobitha Thero
6) Kotapola Amarakitti Thero
7) Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero
8) Bodagama Chandima Thero
9) Delduwe Gnanasumana Thero
10) Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero
11) Akmeemana Dammapala Thero
12) Ambalanthota Chandima Thero
13) Kandegoda Wimaladarma Thero

It has become apparent from the afore-mentioned refugee centers (temples) that the following list of items are most urgently needed for distribution:

1. Medicine
2. Toiletries
3. Bed linen
4. Garments foot wear
5. Dry Rations
6. Torches and batteries or candles and matches

A further point of note has been the estimation of approximately 5000 children left orphaned by this tragedy. It is proposed to build a children?s complex to address the housing, educational, health & psychological needs of these children under the guidance of "Jaathika Punarjeewana Padanama".

The Honorable Prime minister has already consented on an allocation of 10 acres for this project. We implore the public to support us in this worthy & necessary cause. One eminent monk from the above mentioned 25, (Venerable Omalpe Sobitha) have already taken to care for 200 of these children.

Appropriate temporary measures have been taken to provide immediate schooling to those of schooling age at appropriate pirivenas and educational establishments. These efforts have been further facilitated by the venerable monks of Sadaham Sevana Asapuwa in Elpitiya (Ven. Athureliye Rathana) making provisions to house 50 orphaned children. Further the leading free private school (considered by many as the best available) ENSEP international school of Mulleriyawa run by Venerable Bandagiriye Somawanse himi has most generously offered to take on the rest.

Donors could send their contributions by cheque, cash or Money Order to the following bank Acc.

Account Name : Jathika Punarjeewana Padanama
Account No : 000460001447
Bank : Sampath Bank
Bank Branch : Borella , Sri Lanka
Organization Address : Jathika Punarjeewana Padanama
Jayaseekararamaya Kuppiyawaththa,
Colombo ? 10, Sri Lanka
Phone Number : 94 (011) 2595832