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SLC Disaster Assistance Fund gets global support
By Bernie Wijesekera
Sri Lanka Cricket Disaster Assistance Fund has received global support in their endeavour to bring back normalcy among the victims, who suffered the Dec. 26 tsunami catastrophe.

The executive committee of the SLC spearheaded by Mohan de Silva has appointed a committee headed by Thilanga Sumathipala, the immediate past president, to handle the humanitarian project to re-build the lives of those who suffered from all races island-wide.

Chandrishan Perera, co-ordinator international affairs (Disaster Assistance Fund S.L.C) said, that Sumathipala was quick to move with the cricket boards in the world, E-mailed them and there was tremendous support - 72 nations (big or small) have responded to help in whatever way they can. Besides the controlling bodies in the ICC, affiliates too have come forward to assist this humanitarian act to re-think, re-build and re-establish. Countries, like Holland, Brazil, the Pacific Islands - Cayman Island, Vanavatu, Fiji, Bhutan, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Israel, Hong Kong, Bermuda, UAE etc., have joined the brigade to help SLC Fund.

The committee chaired by Sumathipala, in association with Mohan de Silva, Duleep Mendis (CEO) Lawrence Amersena, Jayantha Kudahetty, Aravinda de Silva met on Tuesday Jan. 4, to discuss in order to finalise the Disaster Assistance Fund and its immediate priorities. Sumathipala told the Sunday Times that he was happy with the response they had received worldwide. Forget other issues. It's a reawakening call for everyone to rally around with a united effort to help those innocent people who suffered from the Tsunami-catastrophe. At present most of them are rendered homeless. SLC is striving their utmost to alleviate those families and children via cricket. It's laudable that the international cricketing community has responded.

The SLC has decided on three camps - in Galle, Matara and Dambulla - to assist the victims. Cricketers too will be involved. They will handle respective areas - including Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. The ones who are conversant with the language where they could speak and express their views. Language, however, is no barrier. Short-term (immediate relief) food, medicine and other basic items. To get people the victims themselves to be involved in the relief work (bring them back to normal life). The worst affected are the children. Monitor counsellors to provide especially for physical, social and mental toughness. The children, some of them have lost everything, including their parents. They have become orphans, overnight. The long-term cricket infrastructure development. This includes permanent abodes, gainful occupation until they settle down in their respective fields. Schooling facilities for children. Revive cricket and other sports in affected areas.

Cricket in Galle and Matara has suffered greatly. School cricket apparently is at a standstill. Assist such schools to play their matches away, until the venues are redeveloped.

All donations could be sent to Standard Chartered Bank or Commercial Bank. There are special numbered accounts. Pricewater house coopers will handle and legally accounted receipts will be given said, Shan Perera co-ordinator International Affairs. Charity matches will be staged here with foreign participants. The Asian Cricket Council Chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya has promised to stage a Charity Match in India said Mohan de Silva. This will be a part of the launch to help SLC's Disaster Relief Assistance Fund, in Asia.

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