Okay - I'll kick this one off.
For those of you who would like to contribute something, but are unsure where to direct your funds, please consider AFLAC International (
http://www.aflacinternational.com).
AFLAC is an acronym for
Association For Lighting A Candle and is a Sri Lankan based organization. AFLAC was founded by Capt. Elmo Jayawardena, a Sri Lankan pilot employed with Singapore Airlines. He and an executive committee of five directors run AFLAC.
AFLAC was formed in 1995 with the purpose of alleviating poverty in Sri Lanka. It is modeled on the belief that every person can do something to help another, irrespective of class, wealth and status.
Founded upon the quote:
It is better by far to light one solitary candle than to curse the darkness, AFLAC believes that everyone has the capacity to light a candle, be it large or small, which will shed some light on someone else's darkness.
I personally know one of the directors who works for Singapore Airlines in Colombo. He has helped me during several of my trips to Sri Lanka so I am more than happy to return the favor to help him raise much needed funds. Fortunately, Rajitha and his family are safe, though he writes:
AFLAC has identified the Hambantota District which is one of the worst effected areas in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster.
We are collecting money to purchase rice to be distributed among the families there. The target of the District Organizer is to collect 100,000 kgs of rice which will feed the families for one week.
AFLAC has made an initial contribution toward the cost of 1,000 kgs of rice. We are confident that we will be able to collect money to fund the purchase of much more rice than our promised amount. A Kilo of rice will cost Rs 40/- * and can be purchased from Tissamaharama which is the the Hambantota Distinct itself and stocks are available.
*Rs 40/- is the equivalent of US.38˘, or €.28˘.
I urge you to consider helping this organization. You can make a donation in US Dollars, Singapore Dollars, and Sri Lankan Rupees. Please visit
http://www.aflacinternational.com/pages/tsunami.asp for details.
You can also contact AFLAC directly in Sri Lanka or at one of their many branches worldwide:
AFLAC Sri Lanka:
11/3 Dharmaratne Avenue
Rawathawatte
Moratuwa
Sri Lanka
Tel.(94) 1-642526
Email :
[email protected]
AFLAC USA & Canada:
Chicago Branch:
President - Mr. Lal Fernando
3115 Dell Place, Glenview, IL, 60025,
Tel. (708) 729-7176
Email :
[email protected]
Los Angeles Branch:
President - Mr. Sriyal Kumarage
23211 Ocean Avenue, Torrance, CA, 90505
Tel. (310) 373-7174
Email :
[email protected]
San Francisco Branch:
President - Mr. Mohana Dissanayake
551 Sleeper Avenue, Mountain View, CA, 94040
Tel (650) 940-1620
Email :
[email protected]
Texas Branch:
President - Ms. Monique Ruberu
3856 Suffolk Lane, Plano, TX, 75023
Tel. (409) 765-9860
Email :
[email protected]
Edmonton Branch:
President - Mr. Lester Fernando
3436, 142 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5Y-1HB
Tel. (403) 478-2270
Toronto Branch:
President - Mr. Hiran de Mel
3595, The Credit Woodlands, Mississauga, ON, L5C-2K8
Tel. (905) 277-5342
Email :
[email protected]
Vancouver Branch:
President - Capt. Wayne Dannhauer
2038 Garibaldi Way, Whistler, BC, V0N-1BZ
Tel. (604) 935-5663
Email :
[email protected]
AFLAC United Kingdom:
London Branch:
President - Mrs. Asoka Kodikara
3 “Sycamore Trees”, 12 Avenue Elmers, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 4SF
Tel. 44-020-83908339
Email :
[email protected]
Eastbourne Branch:
President - Mr. Christopher Perera
166 Ringwood Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN 22 8UD
Tel. (44) 01323-639756
Email :
[email protected]
Wales Branch:
President - Mr. Stuart James
"Haulfryn", City Llansannor, South Glamorgan, Wales, CF7 7RW
Tel. (44) 1446-774240
AFLAC Europe:
Holland Branch:
President - Mrs. Carla Horn
Janter Gouwweg 22, 1412 DB Naarden, The Netherlands
Tel. (31) 35-6948942
Email :
[email protected]
Frankfurt Branch:
President - Mrs.Claudia Frey
Normannenweg 18, D63128 Dietzenbach, Germany
Tel. (49) 6074-41443
Email:
[email protected]
AFLAC Asia:
Singapore Branch:
President - Capt. Robert Spittel
57 Cairnhill Road, #06-04 Elizabeth Heights, Singapore 229668
Tel. (65) 68874796
Email :
[email protected]
Hong Kong Branch:
President - Mr. Stephen Rice
Goldman Sachs (Asia) LLC., 68/F Cheung Kong Centre, 2 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel. (852) 2978-1430
Email :
[email protected]
Dubai, UAE Branch:
President - Mr. Shiranka Leo
P.O.Box 23183, Dubai, UAE.
Tel. (9714) 2670397
Email :
[email protected]
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Branch:
President - Mr. Priya Cooray
c/o Saudi British Bank, P.O.Box 9084, Riyadh 11413, Saudi Arabia
Tel. (9661) 403-4768
Email :
[email protected]
AFLAC Australia:
Melbourne Branch:
President - Mrs. Krysta Weerasooriya
45 Holmbury Blvd., Mulgrave, Victoria 3170, Australia
Tel. (61) 3 9790-1391
Email:
[email protected]
Perth Branch:
President - Mrs. Yolande de Silva
15 Guilfoyle Green, Cloverdale, WA 6105, Australia
Tel. (618) 92774385
Email :
[email protected]
Sydney Branch:
President - Mr. Senaka Fernando
4 Doulton Drive, Cherrybrook, NSW 2126, Australia
Tel. (612) 98940014
Email :
[email protected]
AFLAC New Zealand:
President - Mr. Reinest De Rose, 01 Bushland Grove, Paparangi, Wellington, New Zealand Tel: + 64 4 9764223
Email :
[email protected]
Thank-you for your time. I know Rajitha will appreciate all of our help.