We are deeply touched with your generosity. We have stoped collecting Aids but Stationery, medical supplies, toiltres and children items would be ok in the future for our orphanage project to look after orphaned children. We are not accepting anything at the moment.
Cash donations are highly appreciated for the orphanage project.
Unfortunately we cannot accept any other items at this time. Thank you for all the items already donated. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity.
Child Sponsorship & Orphanage Project
Page 2 of 3
Support of the Governor to the Southern Province – Galle Sri Lanka
Rev. Samitha had personal contacts with the Governor to the Southern Province in Sri Lanka, Hon. Mr. Kingsley T. Wickramaratne
via letters and over the telephone to inform him of all the activities
being undertaken in England to support the Tsunami people. Hon. Mr.
Kingsley T. Wickramaratne made arrangements to release the containers
by waivering tax duties incurred.
Rev. Samitha also advised Hon. Mr. Kingsley T. Wickramaratne, that he had appointed Mr M N Prabath as the co-ordinating manager and the orphanage project president in Sri Lanka of Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Society which was overseeing and managing the project in Sri Lanka.
Our
thanks are extended to the Hon. Mr Kinglsey T Wickramaratne and also
all the Government Ministries who helped to release the containers.
UK School Support
Rev Samitha was visited to make a presentation at Hitchin Whitehill Junior School with Mrs Vicky Ruggiero & Miss Merilyne Fleischmann (press report is on Comet Paper – January 27th 2005 page 8)
Rev Samitha gave a full presentation about the impact of the Tsunami at St Catherine’s College at Letchworth on January 29th 2005
and also gave follow up presentation after returning from Sri Lanka to
inform every one of the current situation in Sri Lanka. Miss Merilynn
Fleischmann, Mrs Vicky Ruggiero and Mrs Latha Gunatunga also attended.
St Catherine’s College kindly gave a donation.
North Hertfordshire College Hitchin Branch welcomed Rev Samitha & M to undertake a presentation on May 27th 2005 and donated £ 318.02 towards the projects.
North Hertfordshire Stevenage College also made arrangements to do the same on June 10th 2005 and donated £ 150.00
M was invited together with Rev. Samitha to Shishukunj Sunday School at 98, Chaplin Road, London NW2 5PR to do a presentation on June 28th 2005 and gave a donation of £ 1550.63.
SLSCO-FLAME AGM
At the AGM of February 6th 2005,
M Fleischmann was appointed as the Vice- President and Project Manager
to secure the ‘ethos’ and safe delivery of both the Child Sponsorship
Project and the Children’s Orphanage Project. (Press report on Newslanka – February 10th 2005 - page 18)
President Kapila Wijayasiri, Assistant Secretary, Cheryl Green, Treasurer,
Damitha Abeyrathne showed great interest in their positions
specifically with the aims of supporting both projects. Due to
overwhelming commitments of university studies Damitha Abeyrathne resigned from his position and Miss Edwina Smith was unanimously appointed as his replacement. Edwina Smith’s great concern was also for both projects and their development.
At the AGM the following board was appointed to manage the responsibilities;
Patron to the Orphanage and Child Sponsorship Project: Mr Richard Howitt- member of European parliament East England Chair Person: Rev. Akurala Samitha Vice President: Mr Manohar Summan Secretary: Mrs Latha Gunatunga Asst Secretaries: Mrs Cheryl Green & Miss Kumu Chandraratne Project Managers: Miss Merylinn Feischmann & Mr Dhamita Abayaratna Acountants: Mrs Bina Parmar & Mrs Katy Grissith School Project Co-ordinators: Mrs Vicky Cakir, Mrs Teresa Loveday, Miss Kumu chandraratne, Dr Sumudu Gunatunga & Ms Veronica Graham Fundraising Team:
Mr Rajesh Parmar, Mrs Joshiela Summan, Miss Edwina Anne Smith, Mrs
Karen Harringna, Mrs Tracy Duxbury, Mrs Caroline Greet, Mr Paul
Northover & Mrs Cathy Nash. Public Relations and Consultancy: Mr Rajesh Parmar, Mrs Barbara Gillespie, Miss Janet Tyndale, Miss Fiona Maguire & Mr Paul Wilcox Network Co-ordinators: Mr David Janes and Mr Graham Nash. Preparations prior to travelling out to Sri Lanka
The
issue was raised as to how the funds from the projects should be
transferred from our bank accounts in the UK to Sri Lanka. The
contradiction was the money should be transferred to FLAME SRI LANKA, a fully registered charity in Sri Lanka and; a branch from SLSCO-FLAME in the UK and not to the Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Society which Rev. Samitha has contacts and has sent all the containers to.
An
emergency meeting was requested by Rev. Samitha to resolve the above
mentioned problem. A decision was made by those present as most of the
activities carried out by Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Society
money should now be transferred to their organisational bank account
number. Secondly, M Fleischmann took the responsibility to interview
both organisations to investigate their abilities and commitments
regarding the future of both projects. During the interviews in Sri Lanka, it was found that Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Society has semi-registration from the Divisional Secretarial Office in Galle however FLAME SRI LANKA held no official registration. Therefore, Rev. Samitha and M Fleischmann made the decision whilst in Sri Lanka to form a fully registered NGO under the Ministry of Social Services
as the only way forward to expedite the emergency support to the need
people in Sri Lanka. Regarding the sponsoring project FLAME SRI LANKA
showed 34 children are obtaining sponsorship at that time and;
sponsorship was being conducted via the Lions Club and other
organisations. Our concern was that to maintain a true audit of our
Child Sponsorship Project that a new charity would have to be formed in
Sri Lanka.
Team travel out to Sri Lanka
Rev Samitha travelled out to Sri Lanka on the 9th March 2005 and met up with John Christian
M arrived on the 12th March 2005.
Emergency Relief Aid Project
7 x 40ft containers and 1 x 20ft containers
of humanitarian aid were sent out to a Sri Lankan temple organisation
in Galle district in Sri Lanka. Name and address as follows: Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Organisation, Sunandaramaya, Paragahatota Wathugedara Ambalangoda (in Galle).
Five containers were released by the Government to the organisation in Galle. Two containers were given to The Ministry of Social Services due to; 1) Electronic equipment in one container had accrued a high tax levy – in our contents receipt issued in England by mistake a sum of 80 used computers was entered. This was a gross error – we in deed only had 15 used computers
in all. Due to this error the Port Authorities in Sri Lanka taxed us
for 80 computers and were adamant that this amount in figures would not
be susceptible to change. For this reason we would have to pay the
total sum worth of 2 container loads of aid in taxes. The amount of tax
was more than the value of both containers together. To resolve the
problem Rev. Samitha had a meeting with the Ministry of Social Services
and the Ministry encouraged him to give them the containers for them to
distribute in areas which we had recommended. Rev. Samitha agreed to
this because if we had spent the extra money in taxes to secure these
computers we would have fallen short of vital funds in which to
complete our allocated works directly to the victims. Time was also a
problem in dealing the process.
The five remaining containers
had all been opened and emptied out and were totally mixed up. The
Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Organisation in Sri Lanka had made
all the arrangements to store the aid in a large warehouse that which
obtained with the help of local Government authorities, including the
police and the army.
A sorting out operation was launched with
all volunteers working continuously both day and night under intense
heat and working conditions to meet the deadlines of delivering aid
before Rev. Samitha and his group return to the UK.
A very special thank should be extended here to John Christian
for working both day and night at the warehouse under such intense heat
and meeting the successful target that we had intended. Emergency Aid Distribution Project
Medical
equipments and tents were directly taken to the Ministry of Health and
Social Services at the port as per Government Law.
All other humanitarian aid was distributed amongst 20 Villages which resulted in more than 4526 families receiving aid and support. Number of Villages and Families Receiving Aid
Three hundred and fifty elderly people
who receive Government benefits for living and who also lost their
properties were each given a parcel comprising of: 1 kilo of rice, 2
kilos of lentils, tin foods, soap and toothpaste, bedding, towels and
some clothing. This was sponsored by Sai Devotes of Bedford House of God under the instruction of Mrs Swarna Cooray.
Re-building and Repairing Houses
Six community centres (Buddhist Temples) were given ten thousand rupees each. Seven community centres (Buddhist Temples) were given 15 thousand rupees each.
Distribution Table
Buddhist Temple - Amount Paid Sirisiri Pawarindaramaya - Wadaduwa Rs: 10,000 Sri Amaraseeharamaya – Modarawatta Rs: 10,000 Sri Wijayaramaya – Brahmanawatta Rs: 10,000 Sri Pushparamaya – Welithara Rs: 10,000 Pathiraja – Mantindaramaya – Walagedara Rs: 15,000 Sri Sudeerameya Rs: 15,000 Sri Wijayaramaya – Kekiriwatta Rs: 15,000 Ganraramaya – Urawatta Rs: 15,000 Bodhirukkharamaya – Pategama Rs: 10,000 Abhaya – Sri Wardhanaramaya – Kosgoda Rs:15,000 Sangaraja Maha Viharaya – Randombe Rs: 10,000 Abhinawaramaya – Akurala Rs: 15,000 Nigrodaramaya – Madampagama Rs: 15,000 Sri Wijayaramaya – Akurala Rs: 15,000 Sunandaramaya – Paragahatota Rs: 15,000 Sri Dhammanikethanaya – Kataragama Rs: 15,000
School re-building Projects
1). FLAME SRI LANKA was given 30,000 rupees for a school re-building project.
2). Distribution of stationery supplies to Akurala Jnr School
3). Prethipura Disabled Orphanage distribution of 100 special parcels
containing toiletries, clothing, milk powder, medical supplies and
tinned foods. Eighty people and ten staff also received a cooked meal.
Financial Report
A
Full financial report is included in the SLSCO-FLAME Annual Financial
Report. A brief report of all expenses incurred are listed below:
Tsunami Aid Distribution in Sri Lanka –
Total of received fund to the bank from SLSCO-FLAME to Dhamma Nikethanaya Social Welfare Society, Ambalangoda.
Total Rupees Received: 15,82261.28 = £8500.00
Grand total of expenses: RS. 15,75455.00 = £8463.00
Balance in the Bank to date: RS. 6806.28 = £37.00 Child Sponsorship & Child & Youth Centre Project
Total received: RS. 9,41725.00 = £5000.00 Donation via John Christian: RS.25,000.00 = £131.00 Grand total of received funds: RS. 966725.00 = £5131.00 Grand total of expenses: RS. 6,38688.87 = £3388.00 Balance in total to date: RS. 3,28036.13 = £1743.00 Meetings with Government Officials
National Child Protection Authority
Rev. Samitha and N Prabath had an initial 5 hour meeting with the Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority, Prof. Harendra De Silva
at his private residence to discuss in-depth both Child Sponsorship and
Children’s Orphanage Project. During the meeting he explained the
present Government legal situation and also all the malfunctions of
Western organisations regarding children in Sri Lanka. He expressed
great concern for children loosing their cultural roots due to the
concept of an ‘orphanage’. He was very positive towards our
projects especially being a Buddhist organisation including the
recommendations of the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to London who had
written a letter to him.
He encouraged the ‘way forward’ for us was to open up a Child and Youth Centre
(which can be upgraded to a children’s home after 24 months of
successfully running a child and youth centre) on proviso that we work
in strict guidelines with the National Child Protection Authority at
all times and this includes the adoption of Abuse Awareness training
for all the children and staff involved at the Centre together with
personal development training for the staff. Secondly, he recommended
that we visit a number of similar establishments where children and
young people have been taken into care. These establishments are run by
various religious organisations.
After M Fleischmann’s arrival
to Sri Lanka we were on a mission to oversee all the recommended
establishments and also some other orphanages which we personally had
heard of.
Following on from visiting all the care
centres/schools/homes and completing the necessary research required of
us. Rev. Samitha and M Fleischmann then had a final follow up meeting
with Prof. Harendra De Silva at his official office in Colombo.
Another in-depth discussion took place including a site visit to the
database office and allowing us personal insight as to how the data is
received at the NCPA, its input in the National Database, its usage and
how it is controlled and regulated. We were told that once we have
donor’s for the children all the children’s names must be submitted to
the NCPA for data entry and cross referencing to ensure that the
children are genuinely in need of sponsorship (many children now
receive multi-sponsorship) Finally, the Chairman asked us to respect
working along side with the NCPA as some other organisations are
neglecting the Country’s regulations.
During the meeting we
informed Prof Harendra De Silva that our research had resulted in a
suitable building/location in which to run the centre is the property
of DD Mendis,.Lakmali, Akurala, Kahawa Ambalangoda. (Rev. Samitha’s
parents property) but we would have to return to the UK and have the
agreement of all the trustees of SLSCO-FLAME. We agreed to all of his
terms in writing on the 28th April 2005.
Meeting with the Secretary to The Sri Lankan Prime Minister
Due
to Rev. Samitha’s contact with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, he was
happy to offer us an interview regarding our Projects in Sri Lanka.
However, due to our lack of time and other commitments and then with
the Prime Minister having to leave Sri Lanka for urgent meetings
elsewhere we were offered a meeting with the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga.
He
demonstrated great concern with our projects and he would source
possible land and also urge the land Allocation Office to accommodate
our requirements. He asked us to keep him informed with the progress of
our activities.
Press Conferences in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Government Official Press Office “Lake House” published a special report on the ‘Daily News’ containing our outstanding works at the Tsunami affected site for the local communities.(Press Report – DAILY NEWS – April 01st 2005 – page 3)
A number of Press Officers also assisted our team with supporting our tasks. (Press report – DAILY NEWS – January 13th 2005 - page 3)
Lankadeepa
newspaper also published an article/advertisement in support of us
seeking suitable land/property on which to run the orphanage/child
& Youth Centre (Press report – LANKADEEPA – February 13th 2005 – page 14).
Responses from the General Public In Sri Lanka – for suitable land/property donations
We
received in total (10) ten written responses from within all areas of
the country unfortunately none of these responses met our requirements.
After
following up all the responses a number of land sites were viewed. Out
of which 3 were finally short listed which could be of substantial
benefit to the Charity. However, upon inspecting the 3 land sites it
became evident that none of the sites meet the requirement which the
NCPA had asked up to adopt. The 3 land sites were situated some
distance away from the coastline, the sites were on waste area (made up
of heavy boulders) or within a forest/woodland areas and without any
means of electrical/power supplies. All sites would require heavy
vehicles and equipment to uproot the forest, remove boulders and
flatten the land for building works. Registration with Sri Lankan Government Land Allocation Office
After having some meetings with the Divisional Secretarial in Galle and also according to the guidance of the Secretary to the Prime Minister we had a meeting with the Director of Sri Lankan Government Land Allocation office.
The Director offered us a registration to ensure a Government offer of
a suitable plot of land to accommodate our project. However, he
stressed due to their lack of resources and infrastructure no land is
being issued until further notice. Also the additional problems caused
by the loss of records/deeds and also unawareness of who and how many
families have been wiped out. At the point of writing this report (26th
March 2006) the Land Allocation Office have assured us that we are
still on the waiting list for confirmation to receive a suitable site.
Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya International Buddhist Centre for Education, Meditation, Psychotherapy and Counselling.
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