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Yasmin Jayawardena, along with her daughter Yuvani, have been regularly conducting social activities with the children of the Palliywatte area, which have been reported in previous Moodie Report articles |
SRI LANKA. Eleven weeks after the tsunami devastated many parts of Sri Lanka, killed over 40,000 people and injured and displaced more than a million people around the Island, a village in Palliyawatte is only just beginning to feel a sense of normality.
Immediately after the 26 December tragedy, Paul Topping, Managing Director, Alpha Orient Lanka along with Rakitha Jayawardena of King Power International set up the Alpha Tsunami Trust Fund, which has collected over US$320,000 so far thanks to the generosity of many people in the travel retail industry.
Hence the concept of the “Travel Retail Village” was born. The trust has identified 20 families from the Palliyawatte area who will receive a brand new home, which will contain basic furniture and amenities.
The houses, a playground and community centre will be built on a two-acre property that has been secured at Nagoda, Kalutara, an area close to Palliyawatte. This new property does not have a sea view, resulting in less trauma for those affected by the tragedy. Many of the children are still deeply affected by what happened.
Yasmin Jayawardena, along with her daughter Yuvani, have been regularly conducting social activities with the children of the Palliywatte area, which have been reported in previous Moodie Report articles. All these steps are taken in order to help bring a sense of normality through fun activities.
The regional team of Alpha Orient Lanka visited the future “Travel Retail Village” recently and had tea with the beneficiaries. A fun afternoon was spent with the adults and children on the 1 March 2005. All the children received a small gift and the tender loving care of the Alpha Orient Lanka team.
Some of the victims simply wanted to share some of their experiences, others just needed guidance and advice and, touchingly, most of the children were happy with a hug and a smile.
The trust is working hard at expediting the project as much as possible. The land is now secured and work will commence shortly. Currently plans have been drawn for the layout of the village and necessary steps are being taken to gain approval for building.
Many of the benefactors repeatedly express their heartfelt gratitude to the duty free world who contributed very generously towards the fund. With renewed hope and a lighter heart, the future occupants of the Travel Retail Village eagerly await their new homes, which will take around eight months to be completed.
How to donate to the Alpha Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund
A bank account for donations to this humanitarian relief programme for the Tsunami victims is now operative. Anyone wishing to transfer money can make a telegraphic transfer to the following account. The fund will be co-ordinated by Rakhita Jayawardena and Paul Topping and they, with their local teams, will ensure that every dollar gets to the needy people.
Alpha Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund
A/c No: 002-0785788
Hatton National Bank Limited
City Office
No. 16 Janadhipathi Mawatha
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
SWIFT CODE: HBLILKLX
Contacts:
Paul Topping: ptopping@alpha-group.com; telephone number: 94-777-531801
Rakhita Jayawardena: rakhita@kingpowertraveler.com; telephone number: 94-777-488804
Hiranjan Aloysius: haloysius@alpha-group.com
MORE STORIES ON THE ALPHA SRI LANKA TSUNAMI APPEAL
Alpha Sri Lanka prepares to recognise its Heroes as Tsunami Relief Fund moves past US$275,000 – 28/02/05
Alpha Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund continues to build as recovery effort takes shape – 07/02/05
Alpha Orient Lanka Tsunami fund hits $75,000; latest images show industry action at work – 07/01/05
Alpha Orient Lanka duty free staff missing; others lose families – a Sri Lankan tragedy – 27/12/04
