SALVATION ARMY IN SRI LANKA PROVIDES HELP AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLOODS

SALVATION ARMY IN SRI LANKA PROVIDES HELP AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLOODS

THE Salvation Army in Sri Lanka has reacted swiftly to provide aid after the country was hit by the worst floods in more than 50 years. At least 250 people are reported to have been killed, with 1,000 more still missing and more than 600,000 displaced from their homes.

The Salvation Army's leaders in Sri Lanka, Colonel Brian Tuck (Territorial Commander) and Lieut-Colonel Malcolm Induruwage (Chief Secretary), headed to Ratnapura, taking about 300 food parcels of dry rations, bread, margarine, water and candles. Some territorial headquarters staff and employees worked rapidly and effectively under the guidance of the Women's Ministries to put the parcels together in very little time.

On arrival in Ratnapura the leaders were met with about two feet of water around the Salvation Army hall and living quarters. The corps officers, Captains Wijenama and Anoma, wasted no time in taking the visitors around the immediate area of the hall, where many of the parcels were distributed. At the height of the storms, flood waters 10 feet high had gone through the quarters, but the rain stopped with the level reaching the top step of the new upstairs meeting hall.

Colonel Tuck reports, 'The sight was unbelievable, with debris clinging to the ceiling fans and thick mud coating the interior of the quarters. Many people from nearby houses had used the hall as a temporary shelter. Everywhere the community's oddments of furniture and pitiful possessions were standing in the dirt roads to dry out. Wherever we went the Army was well received and the gifts of mercy gratefully accepted.'

In lower areas, entire houses were washed away, leaving only the cement foundations standing. In and around the debris, people were foraging for possessions and food. Some had lost everything they possessed. On the other side of the river there were around 35,000 homeless people. The home of the local corps sergeant-major was used to accommodate and feed those who could get there.

The Army leaders then visited the local Buddhist temple and were received by the chief Thera, Tissa Thera, with whom Captain Wijenama has a good relationship through working on a peace committee together. Some parcels were handed over for distribution to the crowd who thronged the temple. On the way to the temple they met the distressed mayor of Ratnapura, Mr W. A. Nimal Dayawanse, who thanked the Army for its sterling efforts. Mutual help was promised from both sides.

Colonel Tuck and Lieut-Colonel Induruwage returned to Colombo to find that another 1,000 packages of relief supplies had been put together, with staff and volunteers working well beyond what could possibly have been expected of them.

The following day, three vans left Colombo for Ratnapura, and also for the Galle/Matara districts which had been affected by extensive flooding. Under the team leadership of Major Edward Daniel and Major S. N. Ariaratnam, and accompanied by the South Western District Officer, Major Alister Philip, more relief was undertaken throughout the day in the more southern areas of the island.

Another two van-loads of provisions were sent out the following day, although the Sri Lankan Salvation Army is rapidly reaching the end of its available resources. Some funds have been sent to the region from International Headquarters in London, England, but there is still much to be done to provide short-term relief and even more funds will be needed to begin dealing with the long-term consequences of this catastrophe.